Utility Transfer
Lightning Protection System
Product Features
Honeybee is developing a lightning protection system for rotating structures using an array of rolling contact connectors, or conductive wheels, to transmit lightning strike current loads across a rotating interface. This effort is being funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The system will be compatible with nose-mounted ball turrets such as the one employed by Boeing in their Airborne Laser System.
Conventional lightning protection schemes such as metal screens or coatings are not effective for rotational interfaces such as turrets. The need to keep flight hardware lightweight yet durable suggests the use of composite materials. However, these materials cannot withstand the large currents associated with lightning strikes.
The lightning protection system being developed by Honeybee combines the metal mesh/coating approach to lightning strike mitigation with the innovative Rolling Contact Connector concept to provide a ground path for rotating composite structures. This system will be compatible with non-stationary interfaces such as those used in tanks, airborne systems, and rotary domes of all kinds.