Modernized blankets are helping the Army get ahead of corrosion on Block II CH-47s

Image courtesy Capt. Travis Mueller

By including Cocoon’s modernized aviation blanket on all Block II CH-47s, the Army is taking a proactive approach to mitigating the risk of corrosion. Utilizing these technical textiles allows the Army to get ahead of corrosion before it has a chance to gain a foothold.

The primary problem with legacy blankets is that they trap moisture against the airframe (which explains the prevalence of Body Frame/Hull corrosion). In addition, they absorb liquids, which not only increases the risk of corrosion but increases the weight of the blankets - weight that decreases the performance of the aircraft and causes the blankets to droop.

Air Permeable

Hydrophobic

Oleophobic

Lightweight

By contrast, the textiles in Cocoon’s ITAB are highly air-permeable, hydrophobic, and oleophobic. What that means is moisture can escape from behind the blankets and they repel, rather than absorb, liquids, oils, lubricants, etc.  

In the case of ITAB, an ounce of prevention is worth about 140 lbs. pound of cure. Because they don’t absorb liquids, the blankets don’t gain weight after use, which saves about 140 lbs. per aircraft compared to legacy blankets.

The Army has included ITAB because it knows that it’s far easier to get ahead of corrosion than to play catch-up—and it’s only fitting that the modernized Chinook include a modernized blanket system. 

To find out more, give us a call or visit the Aviation Insulation pages on our website.