Coating Solutions for Defense's Most Demanding Applications
Hypersonic vehicles, missile systems, and defense structures push materials to their absolute limits. DRS delivers protection where conventional coatings fail.
Defense Coating Challenges
Hypersonic Thermal Loads
Aerodynamic heating generates surface temperatures >1800°C on hypersonic vehicles and re-entry systems. No conventional TBC system can survive these conditions.
Erosion at Speed
Particle and gas-phase erosion at hypersonic velocities causes rapid surface recession on leading edges, nose caps, and fin structures.
TBC Performance Limits
Standard YSZ TBC systems approach phase-instability limits above 1200°C. Next-generation hypersonic programs require fundamentally different coating chemistries.
Multi-Environment Durability
Defense components may operate across extreme temperature swings, humidity, salt fog, and mechanical shock — requiring coatings with broad environmental tolerance.
Defense Coating Solutions
Hypersonic TBC Systems
>1800°C surface capability with UHTC top coats and oxidation-stable bond coats. Validated on leading edge and nozzle geometries in simulated hypersonic environments.
- >1800°C Surface Capability
- UHTC Top Coats
- Oxidation-Stable Bond Coats
Erosion-Resistant RHEA Coatings
Hardness range 700–1200 HV with tunable composition. Applied to nose cones, fins, and structural surfaces requiring resistance to high-velocity particle and gas-phase erosion.
- 700–1200 HV Hardness
- Tunable Composition
- Nose Cones & Fins
Internal Diameter Geometry Coatings
12mm minimum bore capability enables wear protection inside actuators, gun barrels, and structural tubes. Proprietary ID HVOF process reaches geometries inaccessible to standard equipment.
- 12mm Min. Bore
- Gun Barrels
- Actuator Bores
Target Defense Components
Explore Defense Programs
DRS has direct experience with SBIR/STTR-funded defense programs and hypersonic coating development. Let's discuss your application requirements.