Gec Avionics Limited

Marconi Avionics Limited

Roger S Fitzpatrick

A retractable airborne radar pod housing a radar scanner is provided with inflatable portions which when deflated allow the pod to be retracted into the aircraft and when inflated form an aerodynamic shape.

Aerodynamic radar pod with external inflatable portion

A radar scanner unit for an airborne early warning system comprises an aerodynamic radome pod (1) pivotally mounted on a pylon (2) which is in turn pivotally mounted on a framework (19). The pod (1) can be retracted towards the framework (19) and the unit can be bodily fitted via a standard cargo loading aperture into the fuselage of an aircraft. In flight, the pod (1) can be deployed from and retracted into the aircraft fuselage via the cargo-loading aperture, doors (3) being arranged to fit round the pylon (2) when the pod (1) is deployed.

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Somerset, United Kingdom

Roger S Fitzpatrick