The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) process is nothing new to Mike Sullivan of Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWPNS) Point Mugu, CA, nor to Kurt Buehler of the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards AFB, CA. What is new, is the fact that they are partnering together with private industry in a truly landmark agreement.

In this CRADA between the Navy, the Air Force, and the private company Microclean Thin Films of Palmdale, CA (in cooperation with its customer, the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works), tests will be run at the Radar Reflectivity Laboratory at NAWCWPNS Point Mugu to evaluate objects in an effort to determine if Microclean’s coating will be effective as a radar absorbing material. AFFTC will provide the objects, made of non-metallic structural material, obtained from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, and will apply the Microclean coating to the objects.

A previously completed CRADA between AFFTC and Microclean investigated the utility of using a polymeric submicron barrier microfilm for the purpose of studying the effects of such films on aerodynamic drag, fuel economy, performance characteristics, surface friction of aircraft skin, and other aerodynamic characteristics on aircraft. From that study came the implication that future studies might involve the attempt to favorably alter radar cross section (RCS) in low observable flying platforms. Point Mugu happens to have the Radar Reflectivity Laboratory with large anechoic chambers that can test the coating’s capabilities in that area. The chambers can also provide mono-static and bi-static radar signature characterization and diagnostics on a wide variety of test objects. Point Mugu’s chamber is the nation’s only facility designed to provide full 180-degree horizontal and 90-degree vertical bi-static RCS measurements in addition to mono-static measurements.

As a side note, Microclean’s founder and CEO, Dr. Donald E. MacWhirter, a former dentist, says tests are scheduled for the coating’s possible application as a dental aide to seal teeth against decay. Dr. MacWhirter also mentioned that the use of thin films are being considered for use on various sporting equipment, to improve aerodynamic characteristics.

Excerpted from stories in Technology Business May/June 1997, written by Paul Harris, and The Missile publication from Naval Air Weapons Station, Point Mugu, CA, Pat Hollenbaug author and editor.