Specifying Coatings for Military and Aerospace Applications

Optics are employed in virtually every area of military operations, from vision systems and target designators used by troops on the ground, through guidance systems utilized in both manned and unmanned aircraft, to reconnaissance and surveillance packages carried by satellites in Earth orbit. These optics are often subjected to large variations in ambient temperature and humidity, as well as contact with abrasive or corrosive materials (such as sand or salt spray). Thin film coatings, which are almost universally required on military optics, must be able to physically withstand these stressors, as well as deliver their design performance in an environment where “failure is not an option.” But, increasingly, achieving these ends must also be balanced with cost.