A Lockheed Martin/ 3M team has test flown a C-130 Hercules with about 150m2 (1,600ft2) of the fuselage forward of the wing treated with a plastic film, rather than paint. The two companies are developing appliqué technologies in a joint programme with the US Department of Commerce and have already tested the idea on combat and commercial aircraft. The adhesive film potentially offers benefits such as savings in production costs, support and aircraft weight, as well as offering environmental advantages.
Source: Flight International