3M's leading-edge innovation for helicopters

摘要

Operating helicopters in very difficult climatic conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan can result in the need to replace rotor blades after only 400 flying hours'time because sand, grit, and gravel have such a severe abrasive effect. And sand on the blades can create sparks when helicopters land at night, producing a halo effect and making the aircraft's position easy to spot, particularly when night-vision equipment is in use.