Humvee shielding effort fails to make grade.

• Author: Pappalardo, Joe
• Position: Brief Article

Technology transfers from the private sector to military use do not always go smoothly. Such is the case with applying peel-away overlays used on NASCAR windshields to Humvees.

In May, the Army's Tank-Automotive Armaments Command (TACOM) began working on applying Mylar films to up-armored M1114s Humvees. The idea was to add layers of Mylar on the vehicle windshields, and subsequently peel away the protective films if they became chipped or nicked by road debris. The films were purchased from Carsports, of Bluefield, W.Va.

Humvee windshields are made of a glass/polycarbonate laminate, an unfamiliar surface for such films to be used, NASCAR windshields are made from Lexan, a clear plastic.

TACOM officials said they have tried to apply the Mylar to Humvees three times, but their "success rate has been zero."

"In each case, the local environment--hot, humid air--caused the Mylar to begin peeling. We also experienced bubbles forming," TACOM officials said in a written response to National Defense inquiries. "The first time we tried to apply Mylar in theater was July 4. The most recent was August...