Radomes Made In Malaysia

19 Juli 2020

CTRM radar dome (radome) (photo : MFH)

For more than a decade, DEFTECH’s Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) has been supporting the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Control and Report squadrons through construction of radar dome (radome) at various radar sites in the country.

So far, six radomes have been built by CTRM specifically to protect the radars from the harsh environments namely at RMAF Bukit Ibam, RMAF Bukit Lunchu, RMAF Western Hill, RMAF Bukit Puteri, RMAF Bukit Kubong and RMAF Gunung Ngili.

Having been involved in composite materials manufacturing and technologies for more than 20 years means that CTRM is able to support both military and civilians radar site.

Such capabilities have attracted big companies such as Leonardo to forge closer business cooperation to explore opportunities in the region and further abroad.

Radome -a sphere shape structure built to protect radar (image : Journey)

It is not known whether the radar site facilities under the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) were equipped with CTRM made and built radome(s).

Having said that, within the military alone there will be more opportunities for the company especially with another new radar site believed to be somewhere in Bintulu is to be developed to house a yet to be procured Air Defence radar system.

RMAF Bukit Lunchu is expected to be replaced by a new site at Bukit Banang, Batu Pahat but this could be a long shot endeavour when looking at current situation. The modularity of CTRM’s radome means that the existing structure could easily being dismantle and reinstall at the proposed new site.

(MFH)