Dornier Do 228 AEW

[Voltzz]

I found an article in the Dornier Post about their ideas for a small, relatively cheap AEW aircraft based on the Do228. The radar they chose was the Thorn EMI Skymaster mounted in 2 different version, either in the nose or in a radome on top of the aircraft.
Do-Post_88-2

 

[CJGibson]

Interesting, similar to the B-N Defender.

Thanks

Chris

 

[CJGibson]

I might have a go at the Pilzradom next.

Chris

 

[SteveO]

Any idea which radar position provided better coverage? Nose mounted looks neater anyway!

 

[CJGibson]

Here ye go, as promised. dorsal probably better coverage, but aerodynamic and structural considerations would need addressed.

Chris

 

[Foo Fighter]

Wedgetail type would be the current style but where would that fall in ability/aerodynamic cost?

 

[yasotay]

@CJGibson - I wonder if the height of the radome (moment arm I think) and it being behind(?) what appears to be the aircraft CG might create some stability issues. A wedgetail might be better aerodynamically, but I think there might be a significant weight penalty associated with it.

 

[Foo Fighter]

That spherical widget looks like it would introduce a pitch up tendency.

 

[aim9xray]

Looks very ripe for von Kármán vortex street or von Kármán vortices. Couple that with a nearby airframe resonance mode, and you will very soon have a load of scrap aluminum flying in close formation in a descending trajectory.

 

[CJGibson]

@CJGibson - I wonder if the height of the radome (moment arm I think) and it being behind(?) what appears to be the aircraft CG might create some stability issues. A wedgetail might be better aerodynamically, but I think there might be a significant weight penalty associated with it.

Dunno, to paraphrase Oddball, I just draw 'em, I don't know how they work.

View: https://youtu.be/TzsNh3-FnHQ


Chris

 

[Nik]

If they can put spiral 'spoilers' on skinny tubular masts, factory chimneys, oil-rig legs etc etc, perhaps there's an equivalent for 'egg-shaped' ??

 

[riggerrob]

If they can put spiral 'spoilers' on skinny tubular masts, factory chimneys, oil-rig legs etc etc, perhaps there's an equivalent for 'egg-shaped' ??

Those spiral spoilers defeat von Karman Waves from every angle.
Spoilers for an AWACS only need to discourage turbulence from one angle: dead a head.
The simplest cure for AWACS legs/struts is teardrop shaped struts with a chord to length ratio of 1:3 or greater.

 

[riggerrob]

I might have a go at the Pilzradom next.

Chris

View attachment 690637

That bulbous nose radome reminds us of a similar installation on a British Army Britten-Norman Islander/Defender. The Islander needed an extended nosewheel strut to prevent the radome from dragging on the runway.