Broadband IR transparent rain and sand erosion protective coating for the F14 aircraft infrared search and track germanium dome

Ewan M. Waddell; Desmond R. Gibson; Michael Wilson

doi:10.1117/12.187378

28 September 1994 Broadband IR transparent rain and sand erosion protective coating for the F14 aircraft infrared search and track germanium dome

Ewan M. Waddell, Desmond R. Gibson, Michael Wilson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2286, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials IV; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.187378
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Pilkington Optronics (Barr & Stroud Ltd) has an ongoing development and pre-production activity for ultra-durable coatings. Such coatings provide enhancement of environmental durability of infrared transmissive windows and domes on airborne platforms. This activity places particular emphasis on providing protection against rain and solid particle impact at airborne velocities. This program has produced a very effective rain and sand erosion protective, anti-reflective multilayer, based on boron phosphide overcoated with diamond like carbon (DLC/BP). This coating has been demonstrated on a range of infra-red (IR) materials: germanium, FLIR ZnS, TUFTRAN, silicon and gallium arsenide. This paper describes a pre- production program of work to coat the external, convex face of the F14 aircraft IR search and track dome with DLC/BP. This is a 9 inch diameter, extended hemispherical germanium dome. Results are presented of coating uniformity, optical performance, UDRI whirling arm rain erosion, single water jet impact assessment and fracture toughness enhancement.

Citation Download Citation

Ewan M. Waddell, Desmond R. Gibson, and Michael Wilson "Broadband IR transparent rain and sand erosion protective coating for the F14 aircraft infrared search and track germanium dome", Proc. SPIE 2286, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials IV, (28 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.187378

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available