Reducing drag under real operating conditions
What it is
AegisCoat has developed a superhydrophobic drag reduction coating that reduces skin-friction drag by sustaining an air layer at the water–surface interface. The coating is engineered to remain effective under turbulent flow conditions relevant to real marine operation.
The material is applied using a spray process and cures at room temperature, supporting use on large surfaces and complex geometries without specialized equipment or facility changes.
Demonstrated performance
Drag reduction on the order of 15–30% has been demonstrated in turbulent flow regimes relevant to real operating conditions. Performance has been independently validated beyond internal laboratory testing.
The coating is designed to maintain functionality under shear stress and extended exposure, addressing durability limitations that have constrained earlier superhydrophobic approaches.
Why it matters
At its most basic level, drag limits speed. Reducing skin-friction drag allows vessels to move faster through the water for the same power input, improving acceleration, top speed, and overall handling under turbulent flow.
The same drag forces that cap speed also drive fuel consumption and range. For commercial and government fleets, sustained drag reduction translates into improved efficiency, extended operational endurance, and lower lifecycle costs. For high-speed workboats and recreational watercraft, it directly affects performance, responsiveness, and on-water experience.
Built for partnership
AegisCoat’s drag reduction coating has reached a level of maturity where progress is driven by application-specific refinement and evaluation in real systems. Advancing this work depends on collaboration with partners who operate, build, apply, or maintain marine platforms across different operating scales.
We work alongside commercial and government partners to tailor formulations, evaluate performance in use, and understand integration with existing coating, maintenance, and operational workflows. This partner-led approach supports translation from demonstrated performance into practical adoption.
Interested in working together?
We work with partners interested in evaluating drag reduction in real operating conditions.