Fiber Optic Grating Depth Sensor for Towed Array Applications

This project is directed towards the refinement and demonstrationof a robust high-temperature nonskid coating that can withstandrepeated flight operations associated with the AV-8B Harrieraircraft on the decks of Wasp-class Amphibious Assault Ships(LHDs). The Fleet has filed a series of Quality DeficiencyReports, Hazardous Material Reports, and Casualty Reports, whichdocument nonskid failures related to AV-8B operations. Flightdeck nonskid failures pose a threat to the safety of flightoperations on LHDs. In particular, the high-temperature exhaustfrom VSTOL aircraft pyrolyzes the nonskid, causing it to becomebrittle, crack, and serve as a source of debris. In Phase I, wedemonstrated that the thermal spray approach could be used toform nonskids that offer high-temperature resistance whileaddressing Fleet nonskid requirements. In Phase II, we willoptimize the coating design and application process anddemonstrate the nonskid on the Harrier landing and take-off zoneson the flight decks of several LHDs.