Patent ID: 7042693

Claim:
A lightning protection apparatus for a radome attached to an airframe comprising: a source of electrically conducting fluid; a delivery means for delivering the conducting fluid to a surface of a radome on which the protection apparatus is installed, prior to the lightning strike; a control means for controlling the delivery means, said control means having at least one electrostatic field sensor for detecting a change in surrounding atmospheric conditions indicative of a high probability of a lightning strike; and means for initiating delivery of the conducting fluid on detection of such a change in atmospheric conditions, comprising a threshold detector for detecting when an electrostatic field amplitude detected by the at least one electrostatic field sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold level, and a switch for activating the delivery means when the predetermined threshold level is exceeded; and means for directing the conducting fluid across the radome surface on which the protection apparatus is installed, towards the airframe, thereby providing a channel having a current conducting capacity sufficient for conducting any current induced by a lightning strike to the airframe for dissipation without damage to the radome.