What must be fitted to a radar antenna when it has been removed from the aircraft?

When a radar antenna is removed from an aircraft, it is crucial to fit approved blanking caps to the exposed mounting points or connectors. These caps serve a critical function by preventing the ingress of moisture, debris, or contaminants that could damage the radar system or affect its performance when it is installed again. Additionally, blanking caps help to maintain the integrity of the electrical connections by ensuring that they are not compromised during the time the antenna is off the aircraft. Using approved blanking caps aligns with best practices for maintaining aircraft systems and helps ensure that upon reinstallation, the radar antenna will operate correctly without issues stemming from environmental exposure or contamination while removed.