US Taps Cambium for Aircraft Laser Protection Technology

California-based Cambium has secured a contract to expand its laser and directed-energy protection technology for the US government.

Under the project, the firm will support the sustainment of aircraft transparencies such as canopies and windshields, including optical sensors for aircraft, satellite, and other airborne applications.

Protection transparencies are clear sheets, ranging from self-adhesive films to hard-coated variants, designed to improve the clarity of transparent or translucent materials and shield them from ultraviolet degradation and surface damage.

Cambium will also validate the technology’s ability to maintain “protection, visual acuity, and high color legibility” across varying conditions and against threats in the visible and near-infrared spectrum.

The company noted that the initiative builds on its previous effort to develop bio-enabled laser eye protection (LEP) technology for defense and commercial use.

Development ‘At the Speed’

According to Cambium, laser incidents targeting aircraft and personnel have risen sharply, with tens of thousands reported annually.

Threats from these situations often involve low-powered handheld lasers, which can cause flash blindness, long-term injury, and mission disruption.

“This new project is just the latest example of Cambium’s commitment to advancing dual-use technologies at the speed of relevance,” said Stephan Herrera, chief marketing officer of Cambium.

Founded in 2020, Cambium develops advanced materials for defense and aerospace sectors using artificial intelligence, materials science, chemistry, and biology to engineer polymers at the molecular level.

Alongside LEP systems, the Los Angeles-headquartered enterprise develops other bio-enabled thermal protection and high-temperature structural solutions to enhance survivability and performance across all domains.