AIRCRAFT PROTECTION FROM DIRECTED ENERGY ATTACKS

摘要

A protective layer may be deposited on a surface of the component of a vehicle in order to protect the vehicle component against directed energy attacks such as a lightening strike or a laser beam. The protective layer is made of a material adapted to undergo a metal -insulator transition in response to an external stimulus. The material may be a functional oxide thin film that undergoes a sharp metal-insulator transition in response to an electrical or thermal trigger. The protective layer protects the vehicle component against incoming directed energy by undergoing the metal -insulator transition so as to dissipate the directed energy.