Film-Cooled X-Band Antenna for ICBM Maneuvering Reentry Vehicles

Arcjet test models of a film-cooled X-band antenna prior to testing at the USAF Arnold Engineering Development Center

Micro Cooling Concepts' employees developed a transpiration cooling system for an x-band antenna for an ICBM reentry vehicle. The x-band antenna array was designed as a terminal fix sensor for a maneuvering reentry vehicle. The antenna elements in the array used a small excitation probe embedded within a dielectric "button." The buttons were placed in holes drilled in a carbon/phenolic heatshield. In ground test simulations of the severe reentry environment, significant differences in ablation between uncooled buttons were observed. This could cause de-tuning of the antenna. The transpiration cooling design resolved this issue by essentially eliminating window shape change.

The photos below show an uncooled arcjet test model after testing and a cooled arcjet test model during testing.