There is a need for the development of experimental and modeling capabilities for the surface degradation of weapons systems exposed to extreme wear and erosion environments. Currently, many weapon system components are coated with hard chrome, which has limitations in performance and also requires the use of high concentration hexavalent chrome baths with the associated hazards to the environment and significant occupational health risks. Development of advanced materials for replacement of hard chrome is under way and a fundamental understanding of the damage mechanisms through modeling and experimentation are required to predict performance of these materials in the extreme environments they are exposed to.