Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototypes

The US Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have jointly developed a new paint additive to help military vehicles such as the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) heal similar to human skin and avoid costly maintenance due to corrosion.

The additive, known as polyfibroblast, is a powder that can be added to commercial-off-the-shelf paint primers to enable scratches forming in vehicle paint to scar and heal before the corrosion effects reach the metal beneath.

ONR Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department logistics research programmes manager marine captain Frank Furman said that corrosion costs the Department of the Navy billions of dollars each year.

"This technology could cut maintenance costs, and, more importantly, it could increase the time vehicles are out in the field with our marines," Furman added.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Made up of microscopic polymer spheres filled with an oily liquid, the new self-healing paint is specifically designed for tactical vehicles used in a variety of harsh environments.

"This technology could cut maintenance costs, and, more importantly, it could increase the time vehicles are out in the field with our marines."

When scratched, resin from the broken capsules creates a waxy, water-repellant coating across the exposed steel, protecting against corrosion.

During a laboratory experiment, the new additive demonstrated its ability to prevent rusting for six weeks inside a chamber filled with salt fog.

Light Tactical Vehicles, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Land Systems deputy programme manager Scott Rideout said that the team is seeking ways to make the additive even more effective, but the initial results are encouraging.

The polyfibroblast research and development represents the US Marine Corps’ aim to be "modernized with equipment and logistics that expand expeditionary capability and preserve our ability to operate from the sea", according to a statement in the Marine Corps Vision and Strategy 2025.


Image: The US military’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototypes. Photo: courtesy of US Army.

Defence Technology