How are composites used in the defense market?

Composites can be used to lightweight defense aircraft and other vehicles, increasing range or allowing higher payloads. Ultra-high temperature (UHT) composite materials can also be tailored to withstand harsh environments and high temperatures, or to be antiballistic. Research and production of ultra-high temperature (UHT) ceramic matrix composites (CMC), with melting points of 2,500°C (4,532°F) or higher, has ebbed and flowed over the years, following rising and falling demand for applications like hypersonic defense systems and space launch vehicles. Source: Lockheed Martin expands development, production of ultra-high temp CMCs with facility expansion

Can composite materials be antiballistic?

New materials cntinue to be developed for use as bullet-proof armor for vehicles, infrastructure and equipment. Historically, antiballistic material designers have preferred tough but expensive aramids, high-density polyethylenes and the like, passing over conventional E-glass as too brittle to have ballistic stopping power. Proprietary additives and resin systems have enabled the development of bullet-proof fiberglass materials. 3D weaving of carbon fiber, fiberglass or other composite materials can also help to develop high-strength preforms for use as armor materials or molded panels. Source: Antiballistics: Better defense, less expense

DEFENSE

Defense

Tempest Program receives new funding

Ministry of Defence awards £656 million to BAE Systems for Tempest next-generation combat aircraft program.

Scott Francis
Contributing Editor, CompositesWorld

Defense

Inkas armored vehicle released in collaboration with Force Development Services

The partially glass fiber-reinforced armored tactical intervention vehicle and FDS vehicle-mounted platform aim to enable faster security operations.

Aerospace

Norco facility expansion bolsters aerospace, defense project capacity

An additional 10,000 square feet will accommodate increasing demand for the company’s composite services.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Defense

LifePort acquires Aeromatrix Composites advanced materials line

The aircraft manufacturer solidifies its capability to provide next-generation advanced materials solutions to aerospace and defense customers.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Defense

VertiJet VTOL gains composites manufacturing expertise from Spirit

Under an MOU, Spirit will be applying its engineering and technology know-how in advanced materials and ultralight structures to Skywork Aeronautics’ defense and commercial platforms.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Skinning the F-35 fighter

Fasteneing the all-composites skin on the Lightning II requires machining and drilling technology that is optimized for cost-efficiency.
#bmi #autoclave #outofautoclave

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Aerospace |

Plant tour: Renegade Materials Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, U.S.

Renegade Materials is known for high-performance prepregs for aerospace applications. Following its acquisition by Teijin in 2019, the company has expanded capacity and R&D efforts on a range of aerospace-targeted materials.
#wingoftomorrow #space #planttour

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Videos / Podcasts

composite 3D printed autonomous underwater vehicle

Defense

Large-format 3D printing enables toolless, rapid production for AUVs

January 26, 2023 - 12:00 AM EST

Dive Technologies started by 3D printing prototypes of its composite autonomous underwater vehicles, but AM became the solution for customizable, toolless production.
#discontinuousfiber #automation

Aerospace

Plant tour: Qarbon Aerospace, Milledgeville, Ga. and Red Oak, Texas

March 28, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

Veteran aerostructures Tier 1 transforms into 21st century leader in thermoplastic composites and multiple new markets.
#planttour #wingoftomorrow #space

Hi-Temp Resins

Nexam Chemical, the NCC develop solution for manufacturing high-temperature composites

November 24, 2021 - 3:00 PM EST

Nexam Chemical’s Neximid high-temperature resin system can operate at temperatures up to 400°C, expanding the boundaries of composites into more demanding applications that weren’t previously possible.
#windblades

Defense

Lockheed Martin opens hypersonic strike production facility

October 27, 2021 - 1:00 PM EST

Lockheed Martin’s 65,000-square-foot Hypersonic Missile Assembly Building 4 (MAB 4) integrates digital transformation advancements for training and virtual inspections.

Thermwood Boeing large scale additive manufacturing of composite tool

Molds/Tools

Collaborative Boeing-led project validates large-scale composite AM tooling

October 18, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

The U.S. Navy-funded program demonstrated a large-scale, autoclave-curable 3D-printed carbon fiber composite tool using a Thermwood LSAM machine.
#application #wingoftomorrow #space

Defense

Braided preforms and resin infusion for next-generation aerocomposites

May 18, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Spintech shows significant cost and labor savings using its Smart Tooling, dry fiber preforms and RTM/VARTM technology on aircraft wing and inlet duct demonstrators.
#composites-basics #insidemanufacturing #braiding

Aerospace

Bell starts operations at new Manufacturing Technology Center

April 01, 2021 - 12:30 PM EST

Composites and metals manufacturing, automation, additive manufacturing and metrology will be undergirded by digital connectivity and digital twin to support affordable production of future vertical lift aircraft.
#composites4-0 #automation #wingoftomorrow

Defense |

Lockheed Martin expands development, production of ultra-high temp CMCs with facility expansion

Targeting current and future needs in hypersonic and aeronautics applications, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ Allcomp team is increasing and digitizing its capabilities in ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials and parts fabrication.
#ceramicmatrixcomposites

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Aerospace

Collins Aerospace inaugurates Powered by Collins Initiative

Fostered technology development in collaboration with deep tech firms to advance technologies for UAS, composites recycling, batteries and space mobility.
#space #sustainability #wingoftomorrow

Testing

Sikorsky hybrid-electric VTOL demonstrator to inform future missions

Long-range, autonomous HEX aircraft prototype featuring a composite airframe serves as evaluation of large VTOL aircraft design, novel propulsion systems and control architectures for military and commercial purposes.
#automation #wingoftomorrow #space

Defense

Airbus launches European Defence Fund R&D projects

Airbus has been selected for eight collaborative projects, including EDOCC and ENGRT, the latter of which will study and define key technologies for future rotorcraft operations.

Glass Fibers

Weber State applies composite-based 3D printing for aerospace support, research

The Utah-based university’s recently upgraded MARS Center installed an Impossible Objects CBAM printer to engage in projects with DOD and DOE potential.
#continuousfiberAM #wingoftomorrow #space

Thermoplastics

Milliken & Co. partners with MMI Textiles to offer Tegris thermoplastic

The commercial market partnership enables easier access to the Tegris thermoplastic composite fabric for defense customers in the quantities that they require.

Defense

U.S. Navy approves full-rate production for Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter

The decision is expected to increase production to more than 20 heavy-lift composites-intensive helicopters annually in the coming years.

Aerospace |

High-performance, high-detail continuous 3D-printed carbon fiber parts

Since 2014, Mantis Composites has built its customer and R&D capabilities specifically toward design, printing and postprocessing of highly engineered aerospace and defense parts.
#trends #continuousfiberAM #wingoftomorrow

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

NEW PRODUCTS: DEFENSE

ATL/AFP

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Qarbon Aerospace

Qarbon Aerospace exhibits its capabilities in manufacturing composite components and assemblies, highlighting its proficiencies in major assembly and systems integration, automated layup, hand layup, high-temp composites and core fabrication.
#space #camx #wingoftomorrow

Thermoplastics

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Toray

The Toray Group’s specialized product portfolio includes the Torayca carbon fiber and advanced thermoplastic and thermoset composites materials used in a variety of aerospace, defense, industrial and automotive applications.
#wingoftomorrow #space #camx