SBIR-STTR Award

There is a continuing need by the military for improved visual camouflage and coloration to render objects less visible from certain bands of electromagnetic radiation, especially radar cross section and/or reflectance in the infrared and laser spectrum. Various materials have been applied to accomplish this but improvements are needed. This project uses a systems approach to the design of innovative coating systems. Previously used materials as well as diffrent ones will be brought in and organized and applied in novel ways to gain increased efficiency. There are several application methods that are thought to produce greater ability to control the movement of waves. Testing of these coatings will be done using state of the art equipment at an established facility. It is anticipated that methods of layering can be enhanced by recent advances in handling conductive and dialectric materials, as well as reflecting and absorbing certain waves.

There is a continuing need by the navy for improved camouflage to render objects less visible from certain bands of electromagnetic radiation, especially radar cross section reflectance. Various materials rave been applied to accomplish this but improvements are needed. The overall phase ii objective is to continue research and development of innovative coatings to reduce the reflectance of ships from radar. During the phase i effort, several innovative coatings were developed with favorable results. Phase ii efforts will focus on understanding the mechanics of the shifts and peaks in attenuation. Efforts will be made to develop production and test methods that give reasonable cost and consistent product quality. Work will be done to combine the material development with the production and test methods to develop coatings and processes that will be useful for conditions on navy combatant craft.