Custom Radome Design for the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Master Time Clocks Facility
USNO Case Study
Client Overview
Competition Composites Inc. (CCI) was selected to design and manufacture a fiberglass composite radome for the Master Time Clocks Facility at the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) in Washington, D.C. The project formed part of a broader U.S. Navy–led modernization of the historic USNO campus, supporting infrastructure that underpins precision timekeeping for defense, navigation, and civilian systems worldwide.
The radome installation was required to protect sensitive antenna systems while preserving RF performance, structural integrity, and long-term reliability - all within the constraints of a historically significant site.
The Challenge
The Master Time Clocks Facility plays a critical role in global timekeeping, supporting U.S. Department of Defense operations, GPS networks, and a wide range of civilian applications. As such, any supporting infrastructure must operate with exceptional stability and reliability.
The project presented several challenges:
Uninterrupted operation: Antenna systems required continuous, stable performance with no tolerance for RF degradation.
Environmental exposure: The radome needed to withstand weather, wind, and long-term environmental loads while protecting sensitive equipment.
RF transparency: The structure could not interfere with signal integrity or timekeeping accuracy.
Material Requirements: The materials chosen had to be Fire Retardant.
The Navy required a radome solution that balanced performance, durability, and discretion, delivered by a supplier capable of meeting stringent defense and scientific standards.
Project Scope
Objective:
Design and manufacture a custom radome to protect antenna systems supporting the Master Time Clocks Facility while maintaining RF transparency and long-term durability.
Application:
Rooftop installation on Building 78 (Simon Newcomb Laboratory)
Mission-critical timekeeping infrastructure
CCI applied its experience in advanced composite structures to develop a custom fiberglass composite radome tailored specifically to the operational and environmental requirements of the Master Time Clocks Facility.
Rather than relying on a standardized enclosure, the radome was engineered to:
Provide robust environmental protection for rooftop antenna systems
Maintain RF transparency suitable across the specified bandwidth
Deliver long-term structural reliability with minimal maintenance
Material selection and composite construction methods were chosen to achieve an optimal balance between strength, durability, and RF performance. The result was a complex 5-ply “C-Sandwich” design solution for the radome panels.
Radome Rendering
Seamless Integration into a Historic Site
The radome was successfully incorporated into the USNO campus modernization program, meeting functional requirements without compromising the character of the historic facility.
Scope of work:
Custom radome engineering and design
Composite material selection and optimization
Fabrication of an 18-foot diameter fiberglass composite radome
Manufacturing aligned with aerospace- and defense-grade standards
Industries:
Defense, Aerospace, Scientific Infrastructure
CCI’s Engineering Approach
Radome Rendering on Rooftop
Design and Manufacturing
The final solution consisted of an 18-foot diameter fiberglass composite radome, manufactured to meet the operational demands of a mission-critical defense installation.
Key design considerations included:
Structural integrity under environmental loading
Long-term resistance to weathering and environmental exposure
Consistent RF transparency to support precision antenna performance
Manufacturing was carried out using processes aligned with aerospace and defense applications, ensuring repeatability, quality control, and performance consistency throughout the lifecycle of the radome.
Results & Impact
The completed radome installation delivered several important outcomes:
Protection of Mission-Critical Systems
The radome provides durable environmental protection for the Master Time Clocks Facility antenna systems while supporting continuous, stable operation.
Support for Global Timekeeping Infrastructure
By safeguarding equipment at one of the world’s leading timekeeping institutions, the project contributes to the reliability of systems relied upon by defense, navigation, and civilian users worldwide.
Demonstrated Technical Capability
The project reinforces CCI’s ability to deliver high-performance composite structures for defense and scientific applications, where precision, reliability, and compliance are paramount.
Looking for a partner for mission-critical composite structures?
Competition Composites Inc. partners with defense, aerospace, and industrial organizations to design and manufacture advanced composite structures for mission-critical applications. To learn more about CCI’s capabilities or to discuss a custom radome or composite solution, contact the team to explore how CCI can support your next project.