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Minuteman missile silos used an interesting hardened UHF antenna. What kind of antenna is this? Does anyone have a drawing with a cross section?

Hardened UHF Antenna

Edit:

Jay Moore added a picture to a different type of hardened antenna, the truncated cone in the foreground. Different Antenna Jay's antenna might be an annular slot antenna, if it is an antenna and not another hatch. In that case, the lighter gray circle would be a dielectric. I don't think these are the same antenna types.

webmarc
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Olg
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1 Answers1

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I haven't been able to find a complete answer, but have learned the following:

  • the cone pictured in the top photo is a radome serving a weather protection function, not part of the antenna system.
  • the UHF antenna is apparently a receive only antenna, used in the event of land system compromise
  • the receiving antenna is atop a several feet thick concrete slab for protection
  • some of these (not sure if all, or if the one pictured) were manufactured and perhaps designed by Motorola

Source: https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/mimi/hrs2-4.htm

webmarc
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