Vehicle having a ceramic radome affixed thereto by a complaint metallic T-flexure element

摘要

A missile has a body with a substantially circular nose opening therein, and a ceramic radome sized to cover the nose opening. A compliant metallic circular "T"-flexure element is disposed structurally between the radome and the body and is integral with the body. A niobium-containing washer is disposed between the radome and the "T"-flexure element. The "T"-flexure element includes an elongated compliant arm region and a cross bar region positioned adjacent the radome such that the niobium-containing washer is situated between a lower margin surface of the radome and an upper side of the crossbar region. A first brazed butt joint is formed between the lower margin surface of the radome and an upper surface of the niobium-containing washer, while a second brazed butt joint is formed between a lower surface of the niobium-containing washer and the crossbar region of the "T"-flexure element. Two separate brazing materials are employed to be compatible with the respective materials (radome and niobium washer; niobium washer and "T"-flexure element), but have substantially the same brazing temperature to permit brazing the radome to the body in a single brazing operation.