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Rather than an orb, it installed a radome that was flat at the top and was described as looking like an upside-down cup and saucer.

The team is to set inspect the gear box inside the radome, the large golf ball-like bubble that houses the rotating antenna.

The application for three shelters - called radomes - at RAF Menwith Hill, in North Yorkshire, was submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in June.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies said the "modest new structure" appears to be anchored on Bombay Reef, and is topped by solar panels and a radome.

The purpose of the platform and radome was unclear, but it could be for military use, it said.