Air force advanced aircraft coatings program

This paper describes a comprehensive research and development program that addresses the aircraft coating needs of the U.S. Air Force, as defined in the Air Farce Coating Systems Strategy. This program is focused on the top coatings system requirements, as articulated in the strategy. It includes a near-term component to quickly field NESHAP compliant coating systems, a mid-term component to provide systems with significantly improved environmental and performance characteristics for the period 1997-2003 and a long-term component to address the fundamental technology issues associated with development of VOC free, toxic materials free, 30-year life coating systems which will satisfy the Air Force's needs for the year 2003 and beyond. The long-term needs are stated in the Air Force Mission Need Statement (MNS) entitled, "Advanced Aircraft Coatings Capability."