- Satellite Communications (SATCOM) ground stations
Provides a controlled RF environment for large‑aperture earth‑station antennas, reducing wind loading and environmental attenuation while maintaining link stability for commercial and defence systems.

- Telemetry, Tracking & Control (TT&C)
Supports precision tracking antennas by limiting environmental effects that can introduce pointing error, signal fluctuation, or degradation in link margin.

- Meteorological and weather radar systems
Ensures continuous operation in severe climates by mitigating icing, precipitation loading, and wind‑induced deformation that may impact radar accuracy.

- Air traffic control and surveillance radar
Applicable to primary and secondary radar systems requiring stable electromagnetic performance and structural integrity for consistent detection and tracking.

- Phased‑array and advanced radar systems
Compatible with phased‑array and 3D radar architectures where broadband RF transparency and minimal electromagnetic interference are critical.

- Remote and extreme‑environment deployments
Optimised for offshore, desert, alpine, and high‑wind locations, improving system availability and reducing maintenance requirements under harsh environmental conditions.

RF‑engineered sandwich composite structure
Utilises glass‑reinforced polymer (GRP) skins bonded to a closed‑cell foam or honeycomb core, providing a high stiffness‑to‑weight ratio with controlled dielectric properties. This configuration supports low insertion loss, stable phase response, and minimal impact on antenna radiation patterns.

Truncated spherical, panelised architecture
Constructed from doubly‑curved polygonal panels forming a truncated sphere, optimised for uniform electromagnetic performance across operational look‑angles. The panelised design enables repeatable manufacturing quality, efficient transport, and controlled on‑site assembly.

Broadband RF capability (UHF to V‑Band)
Wall construction is configurable to support operation from UHF through V‑Band (~50 GHz). Laminate schedules, core materials, and thickness are selected to balance transmission efficiency, reflection characteristics, and phase stability for narrowband or broadband applications.

Passive, zero‑power operation
No active thermal or mechanical systems are required for normal operation, reducing power consumption, integration complexity, and potential failure modes—particularly beneficial for remote or unmanned ground stations.

Environmental and mechanical protection
Provides a stable operating environment by mitigating wind loading, precipitation, dust ingress, UV exposure, and ice accumulation. This reduces mechanical stress on antenna systems and limits environmental variability affecting RF performance.

High‑wind and cyclone design capability
Structural design supports operation in severe wind environments, including cyclone‑prone regions, with load cases validated through analysis. Site‑specific engineering and certification can be provided to Australian and New Zealand standards.

Consistent electromagnetic performance
Panel geometry, joint design, and dielectric uniformity are controlled to minimise transmission loss, boresight error, and sidelobe degradation. Particular attention is given to panel‑to‑panel interfaces to reduce RF discontinuities.

Configurable geometry and system interfaces
Radome diameter, truncation height, access systems, penetrations, coatings, and integration interfaces are configurable to match antenna type, mount geometry, and site constraints. RF‑tight penetrations are designed to maintain enclosure performance.

Lifecycle performance and maintainability
By isolating the antenna from environmental exposure, the radome reduces wear on drive systems, reflectors, and electronics, improving system availability and extending service life. Composite construction supports long‑term durability with low maintenance requirements.

Panelised assembly and serviceability
Segmented construction allows transport in standard freight formats and facilitates on‑site installation using internal bolting systems. Panels can be individually replaced or repaired, supporting maintainability over the operational lifecycle.

Engineering support and compliance
Design deliverables can include structural analysis, wind loading calculations, foundation interface design, and lightning/earthing documentation. Compliance with Australian and New Zealand engineering standards is supported as part of project‑specific certification.

The 13.7 m composite sandwich radome can be tailored across multiple parameters, including diameter, truncation height, panel geometry, colour, and hydrophobic coatings, enabling adaptation to site‑specific and RF‑band requirements. Wall builds can be tuned for narrowband or wideband operation from UHF to V‑Band through adjustments to skin and core thickness. Custom access doors, cable/vent penetrations, and mounting interfaces can be added to match ground‑station infrastructure. Standard customisations such as colour and hydrophobic surface treatments are typically included, while structural changes (e.g., high‑wind/cyclone upgrades, special foundations, or band‑specific EM tuning) may incur additional engineering costs.

As a ground‑based composite sandwich radome, the 13.7 m model does not have traditional in‑orbit flight heritage. Instead, its performance is validated through long‑term deployment in satellite ground stations, radar sites, and meteorological facilities, where sandwich radomes are widely used for SATCOM, TT&C, weather radar, and surveillance systems. These radomes rely on proven fibreglass‑foam sandwich construction and truncated spherical panelised design to deliver stable RF performance and durability in extreme environments. 

Operational heritage for this radome class is therefore measured through continuous field performance—including RF transparency, structural reliability, and environmental protection—aligned with industry‑standard radome deployments worldwide. 

The 13.7 m Composite Sandwich Radome is manufactured using a multi‑layer composite sandwich process, in which fibreglass skins are bonded to a closed‑cell foam or honeycomb core. This approach provides high structural stiffness, low weight, and consistent dielectric behaviour—attributes widely recognised in ground‑based sandwich radomes. 

Each panel is produced as a doubly‑curved polygonal segment, enabling the truncated spherical architecture typical of large SATCOM and radar radomes. These panels are fabricated with controlled laminate lay‑up and resin content to maintain uniform thickness and RF performance, a process used across industry‑leading composite radome manufacturers. 

Panels are fully enclosed with composite skins to ensure weather‑tightness and structural continuity. Reinforced panel edges are tuned to minimise phase shift and transmission loss across the flange region—critical for maintaining radome EM performance. 

During installation, the segmented panels are bolted together from the interior, forming a rigid shell with sealed overlapping joints. This assembly method supports easy transport, on‑site construction, and future panel replacement when required. The flange gasket and sealant system ensures long‑term protection from moisture ingress, snow/ice loading, and thermal cycling. 

Manufacturing options include hydrophobic and UV‑resistant coatings, band‑specific EM tuning through core/skin thickness adjustments, and custom panel geometries. These options allow the radome to be optimised for UHF through V‑Band applications and harsh‑environment deployments. 

Quality assurance includes material certification, dimensional checks, and inspection of laminate consistency and joint hardware—aligning with global composite radome manufacturing best practices.

Qualified as a ground‑based composite sandwich radome for SATCOM/radar applications, with environmental protection against wind, rain, dust/sand, snow/ice, UV, and temperature cycling—capabilities consistent with established earth‑station radomes. 

Structural & environmental qualification

Wind loading: Structural design verified by analysis (FEA) against site‑specific codes; industry‑standard sandwich radomes support severe winds (typ. 150–250 mph / 240–400 km/h variants depending on configuration). Site certification (e.g., cyclone regions) available on request. 
Panelised shell & joints: Doubly‑curved polygonal panels with internally bolted, sealed flanges; qualification includes joint fastener strength, flange stiffness, and weather‑tightness checks typical for truncated spherical architectures. 
Ingress/weather‑tightness: Overlapping flange, gaskets, and sealant system validated for driven rain and moisture exclusion; assembly from interior maintains external smoothness and durability. 
UV/temperature/humidity: Composite materials and coatings selected for UV stability and full‑range outdoor exposure per ground‑radome practice. 
Electromagnetic (EM) qualification

Frequency compatibility: Wall builds tuned for target bands from UHF to V‑Band, balancing insertion loss and pattern integrity across required look‑angles. 
Transmission loss & pattern effects: EM performance driven by both panel window and flange regions; tuning/impedance‑matching of flanges is applied to limit additional loss and phase shift—an industry‑recognised requirement for sandwich radomes. 
Assembly impacts: Panel segmentation and joint design (e.g., overlapped/impedance‑matched lap joints) are controlled to minimise sidelobe degradation and coherent scattering during qualification. 
Materials & process qualification

Sandwich laminate: Fibreglass skins with closed‑cell foam or honeycomb core; laminate and bondline properties verified via coupon testing (tension/compression/flexure, core shear, skin‑core peel). 
Manufacturing controls: Controlled lay‑up/resin content and precise core thickness for uniform dielectric/structural behaviour across panels—best practice among composite radome manufacturers. 
Factory & site acceptance

FAT (Factory Acceptance Tests): Dimensional inspection, laminate consistency, hardware conformity, and coating adhesion; documentation package with materials certs and QC records. 
SAT (Site Acceptance Tests): Verification of bolt torque, seam continuity, gasket integrity, drainage, and (where required) baseline EM checks post‑assembly. 
Options affecting qualification envelope

High‑wind/cyclone configurations (enhanced structure and foundations), hydrophobic/UV coatings, and band‑specific EM tuning are available; each option is qualified/validated to its target performance during design. 
Compliance deliverables

On request, delivery can include structural/wind calculations, foundation interface design, earthing & lightning details, and signed compliance statements to local codes—supporting safe, reliable operation at the installation site. 

The 13.7 m Composite Sandwich Radome is a ground‑based, commercial civil communications structure and is not specifically listed on the U.S. Commerce Control List (CCL). Such items typically fall under EAR99, meaning they are subject to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) but generally do not require a license unless exported to restricted destinations, prohibited end‑users, or for prohibited end‑uses. 

If supplied for military radar, defence SATCOM, or controlled programs, end‑use and end‑user reviews may trigger additional requirements, including potential CCL or ITAR applicability. When needed, customers may request a formal BIS classification (CCATS) to confirm export status. 

Exporters remain responsible for screening all transactions against relevant destination, end‑use, and end‑user restrictions.

The 13.7 m Composite Sandwich Radome is supplied directly by Av‑Comm Space & Defence, the manufacturer of the full radome product line. Av‑Comm does not list or utilise regional or national distributors for its composite sandwich radomes; all sales, engineering support, installation coordination, and after‑sales services are handled in‑house to ensure configuration accuracy and quality control. This is consistent with Av‑Comm’s published product catalogue, which identifies the company as the direct manufacturer and supplier of its radome range.

Where required, Av‑Comm can work with approved local installation or civil‑engineering partners for project delivery, but these partners operate as service providers rather than distributors.

Av‑Comm’s ground‑station and radome expertise is publicly associated with several major organisations. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) contracted Av‑Comm to relocate and refurbish a radome‑antenna system, demonstrating capability in large composite radome handling and reinstallation. 
Published testimonials also highlight strong partnerships with Lockheed Martin Australia & New Zealand, noting Av‑Comm’s support to satellite communications programs, and Intellian, recognising high‑quality installation and technical performance. 
Additionally, Telikom PNG has publicly acknowledged Av‑Comm’s role in upgrading national communications infrastructure, including radome‑related ground‑station work.