Across the U.S. defense landscape, few challenges are as constant and costly as corrosion. From the hulls of naval vessels to craft and expeditionary platforms, corrosion quietly erodes at readiness, inflates maintenance costs, and shortens the lifespan of critical assets. For the U.S. Navy alone, corrosion damage is estimated to cost billions of dollars annually, impacting everything from mission availability to long-term fleet sustainment.
The White House’s “Made in America” industrial strategy underscores a broader movement toward domestic manufacturing resilience, lifecycle cost reduction, and sustainable defense innovation. These priorities are directly tied to military readiness: maintaining and modernizing existing fleets, rather than continually replacing them, is both fiscally responsible and strategically essential.
Laser cleaning technology fits squarely within that framework. It offers a non-abrasive, eco-friendly method for corrosion removal, paint stripping, and surface preparation—helping to extend the usable life of military assets without the environmental and safety drawbacks of conventional maintenance methods.
DefenseTech™ Laser Cleaning Systems
Fonon Technologies’ DefenseTech™ laser cleaning systems are engineered to tackle one of the toughest challenges in maritime operations: saltwater corrosion. Traditional methods like sandblasting and chemical treatments can cause substrate damage, generate hazardous waste, and require time-consuming containment procedures. By contrast, Fonon’s laser systems provide pinpoint precision and zero-contact surface preparation, vaporizing corrosion and contaminants without harming the underlying material.
Key advantages include:
- Non-abrasive and substrate-safe: The laser energy precisely removes unwanted material without damaging the underlying metal.
- No secondary waste: Unlike chemical stripping, laser cleaning produces no hazardous runoff or abrasive debris, simplifying cleanup and reducing disposal costs.
- Rapid turnaround: With minimal setup and no need for masking or post-treatment, maintenance crews can restore components faster.
- Portable configurations: Ideal for both shipyard maintenance and forward-deployed teams, these systems can be used in dockside or field environments to quickly mitigate corrosion in remote locations.
Sustainability and ESG Benefits
In 2025, environmental stewardship is a requirement for mission-readiness. The Department of War’s climate and sustainability objectives call for reducing hazardous waste, improving energy efficiency, and implementing cleaner technologies across maintenance and manufacturing processes.
Laser cleaning directly contributes to those goals by eliminating chemical solvents, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing waste disposal. For defense contractors and maintenance facilities, adopting laser cleaning supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments while also lowering operating costs and worker exposure to toxic substances.
Applications Across the Fleet
Fonon Technologies’ technology is adaptable across a range of military and industrial environments:
- Naval shipyards: Efficient corrosion and coating removal from hulls, decks, and bulkheads.
- Aerospace and expeditionary assets: Lightweight, mobile systems for aircraft or vehicle maintenance in the field.
- Maritime craft and infrastructure: Dock components, propellers, underwater housings, and support structures exposed to saltwater degradation.
- Depot-level MRO: Precision cleaning prior to welding, coating, or inspection, ensuring longer component life and reduced failure rates.
By integrating laser cleaning into MRO programs, defense organizations can strengthen readiness, reduce turnaround time, and comply with evolving environmental standards—all while maintaining American leadership in advanced manufacturing technology.
Building a Stronger, Cleaner Defense Industrial Base
The “Made in America” initiative is about ensuring that the U.S. defense industrial base is resilient, efficient, and sustainable. Laser cleaning aligns perfectly with that vision. It modernizes maintenance practices, safeguards the environment, and supports mission readiness by keeping critical platforms in service longer.
Fonon Technologies continues to pioneer next-generation laser systems that merge operational efficiency with environmental responsibility. As corrosion remains a persistent threat to U.S. naval and expeditionary assets, the adoption of clean, laser-based maintenance technologies represents a strategic necessity.
Ready to Learn More?
Fonon Technologies invites defense program managers, sustainment leaders, and maintenance engineers to explore how DefenseTech™ Laser Cleaning Systems can reduce corrosion costs, improve readiness, and support sustainable defense operations.
Learn more at fonon.us