Hydrophobic Coatings for IR Maritime & Naval Security Applications

Ophir Optronics, an MKS brand, addresses the challenges faced by maritime and naval security and surveillance operations in corrosive coastal environments.

Traditional optical coatings often fail to maintain their integrity in these extreme conditions, compromising the efficacy of infrared (IR) sensing technologies. To mitigate these issues, Ophir has developed AquaShieldIR™, an advanced hydrophobic coating optimized for IR imaging lenses in maritime applications.

AquaShieldIR coatings have undergone extensive testing, exceeding the MIL 810 standard for salt fog and salt solution durability. This rigorous testing protocol ensures extended operational lifetimes in extreme maritime environments, crucial for unmanned systems deployed in coastal and oceanic theaters.

Maritime environments pose significant challenges to optical systems due to high humidity and salt spray, which can rapidly degrade traditional coatings. Ophir’s AquaShieldIR coatings have been subjected to a 14-day salt fog chamber test, surpassing MIL 810 standard requirements and demonstrating superior durability and longevity.

Key Advantages of AquaShieldIR:

• Hydrophobicity: AquaShieldIR imparts superhydrophobic properties to IR imaging lenses, preventing water droplet adhesion. This feature maintains optical clarity and visibility in precipitation or high-humidity conditions, ensuring continuous operational capability of unmanned maritime systems.
• All-weather Performance: The water-repellent nature of AquaShieldIR enables optimal IR imaging performance across a range of atmospheric conditions, including rain and fog. This is critical for maintaining situational awareness in dynamic maritime environments.
• Image Quality Preservation: By preventing the accumulation of water droplets and contaminants on the lens surface, AquaShieldIR minimizes optical distortion and degradation. This results in improved image quality, enhancing the accuracy of object detection and identification algorithms in unmanned systems.

AquaShieldIR has been engineered and rigorously tested to meet the exacting requirements of maritime and naval systems. By exceeding industry standards, Ophir ensures that its coatings provide superior protection, visibility, and image quality in harsh maritime environments.