Story ID: 794 Astronics radome
Astronics Debuts Low-drag Radome
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Composite structure is bird strike and Airinc 791 compliant, and offers weight savings over traditional metal radomes.
Word Count: 114
Astronics introduced AeroShield, a low-drag radome and composite adapter plate for bizliners that offers reduced drag, simplified installation and a 78-percent weight savings over traditional metal designs, according to the New York state-based company.
  
The fuselage-mounted AeroShield is also bird strike-compliant, can be mounted on any narrow- or widebody platform and can house any satcom system designed for such aircraft. It’s also Arinc 791-compliant, so customers will be able to upgrade to new satcom systems without changing the radome hardware. 
  
A Boeing 737 will be the launch platform, scheduled for installation early next year. The cost is comparable to current radomes, said Edward Popek, senior director of marketing.