The HR Smith Group's unique combination of RF design and advanced thermoplastic composite technology places it at an unparalleled advantage over the majority of existing other antenna manufacturers.

A new generation of advanced engineering thermoplastics has enabled HR Smith (Technical Developments) Limited to create antennas which have unique rain erosioc qualities allied to improved impact resistance. high temperature capability and thermal stability. Additionally, superior electrical and mechanical properties and enhanced chemical resistance are combined with on-time delivery. and a lower cost compared to 'conventional antennas.

The new thermoplastic antennas are the latest state-of-the-art products to be offered by the HR Smith Group and are designed to meet the needs of the aircraft industry into the twenty-first century.

The antennas are produced to give optimum electrical performance that is maintainable throughout the life of the antenna. together with a mechanical integrity hitherto not achieved with thermoset composite antennas.

HR Smith can offer direct replacements for the majority of in-service antennas with, in most cases, off the shelf delivery.

Mechanical integrity

The antennas are constructed from advanced thermoplastic resins which have many advantages over their 'old technology' thermosetting counterparts.
The advantages include:

• Improved rain erosion and impact resistance.
• High temperature capability and thermal stability.
• Void and adhesive free structures.
• High degree of product reproducability.
• Enhanced environmental performance.
• Corrosion resistant assembly.
• Freedom from delamination.

The use of advanced thermoplastics in the construction of currently available HR Smith products has given proven performance enhancement, with over fifteen years in-service use on high speed military aircraft.

The traditional methods of assembly with component parts such as connectors, baseplate and radiating element being housed in a pre-formed thermoset shell with the
resultant cavity, have been replaced by revolutionary, patented, manufacturing and design features. These features substantially eliminate the current failure modes of traditional antennas.

A new molding technique forms the radiating element as part of the process and encapsulates the baseplate and connectors.

The resultant antenna does NOT have any voids, printed circuit board radiating elements or unsupported radiating elements which can give rise to failures on current antennas. These antennas will not delaminate as some fibreglass antennas have done in the past. Combining this with our dry fit conductive anti-corrosion RF gaskets, gives users 'fit-and-forget' antenna systems at a reduced cost.

Electrical performance

The elimination of a separate radiating element and cavity in the advanced molding process ensures that the original performance is maintained throughout the life of the antenna.

Thermoplastics offer void and adhesive free assembly which provides the high quality electrical properties required for the antenna to give optimum performance.

For the first time, the new range of thermoplastic antennas offers a quality product that can have a mean time between failure approaching that of the aircraft's life and can provide a 'fit-and-forget' solution.

The standard range of antennas is manufactured to be direct replacements for the range of antennas as detailed in the Antenna Cross Reference listed below.

Antenna Cross Reference
(This is not the full range of antenna)