SPIKE a Physical Optics based code for the analysis of antenna radome interactions

This paper presents a new physical optics based radome code SPIKE which has been used by SELEX S&AS to assess the impact of radomes on antenna performance. After a brief summary of the mathematical basis of the code some advantages of Physical Optics such as the ability to predict 2nd flashlobes and calculate the near fields in the vicinity of the antenna are demonstrated. Finally a comparison of flight trials data with results obtained from SPIKE in conjunction with a radar detection model GARD is made. (5 pages)