Removal Tools and Process for LO Materials

"General Lasertronics Corporation (GLC), with support from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, will complete the design, delivery, and evaluation of a laser-based coating removal tool for operational sustainment of Low Observable (LO) materials used on Air Forceweapon systems. The equipment replaces the current removal techniques, which are tedious, labor intensive, and inefficient. Feasibility demonstrations in Phase I confirmed that a pulsed laser operating at 1064 nm with a radiance of 15 to 30 MW/CM2 iseffective in removing pre-specified surface layers of LO material. Feedback electronics are able to control the laser firing circuit so that the removal process automatically terminates when the material substrate becomes exposed. GLC confirmed that highefficiency, diode-pumped laser systems can achieve the necessary radiance for LO coating removal. The demonstration unit was similar to that which the Air Force Safety Office (AF/SES) has stated is explosion safe. In Phase II, GLC will refine thediode-pumped system design to ensure laser safety, waste collection, and user-friendly control features in a compact, small footprint package. GLC will fabricate a prototype and deliver it to the LM Aero F-117 Total System Performance Responsibility(TSPR) for evaluation. LM Aero will support the project and communicate results to the Air Combat Command (ACC) and ASC/YN."