{"id":34264,"date":"2024-07-09T09:02:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T09:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2024\/07\/09\/navy-marine-corps-test-new-laser-projection-system-to-paint-aircraft\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:23:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:23:13","slug":"navy-marine-corps-test-new-laser-projection-system-to-paint-aircraft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/battlefield-tech\/directed-energy\/2024\/07\/09\/navy-marine-corps-test-new-laser-projection-system-to-paint-aircraft\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy, Marine Corps test new laser projection system to paint aircraft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy\u2019s Fleet Readiness Center East is testing how a laser projection system can help the Marine Corps with painting their aircraft, part of an attempt to cut the time an aircraft spends in maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aircraft are traditionally painted using a masking technique, requiring painters to use tape, film and paper to outline certain markings for a particular aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new system being tested projects insignia and markings directly on the aircraft, providing the exact placement of objects that need painting without all the masking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, the laser projection system is dramatically easier to use than the old stenciling method, according to Steven Lofy, senior materials engineer for the center\u2019s corrosion and wear team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt takes an extensive amount of time and labor to mask aircraft for the application of major markings and insignia during the final finish process,\u201d Lofy said in a statement. \u201cIt\u2019s a demanding process based on old, paper drawings that can be difficult to read, making it challenging for our artisans to mask the exact areas on each aircraft consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t