Low Emissivity Transparent Hypersonic Atomic Layer (LETHAL) Composite Windows

In order to maintain technological edge over near peer adversaries, the U.S. needs to quickly expand capability related to hypersonic warfare.  This requires the development of new window materials with unique thermo-optical and thermo-mechanical properties that can survive the intense aerothermal environment without blinding the sensor with the emissivity of the hot window. UPT proposes to create Low Emissivity Transparent Hypersonic Atomic Layer (LETHAL) Composite Windows, a next generation nanostructured “core-shell” composite IR window material that is based on a completely new way to manufacture materials. This process has already been used to produce nanostructured core-shell ceramics for transparent armor applications that significantly improve the hardness and strength of the composite, while decreasing the coefficient of thermal expansion, providing enhanced thermal shock resistance. The LETHAL composite leverages the bulk optical properties of low emissivity MWIR materials while also providing the strength of a ceramic composite.