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

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.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Defense

BAE Systems extends multi-year F-35 tail assembly agreement with Magellan Aerospace

Horizontal tail assembly production for the composite fighter aircraft continues at Magellan’s Winnipeg facility, targets more than 1,000 shipsets for the duration of the program.
#f-35

Marine

Norco Composites awarded new contracts, recruits to bolster workforce

High demand for Norco’s composites expertise in the defense, aerospace and subsea markets has led to the company’s investment in 10+ new workers and specialist training programs and facility developments.

Defense

Northrop Grumman, U.S. Air Force introduce B-21 Raider

The sixth-generation, composites-intensive strategic bomber aircraft represents new capabilities and flexibility supported by an advanced digital ecosystem.

Aerospace

Montana State researchers introduce novel method for “stretch-broken” carbon fiber

New stretch-breaking concept consistently produces carbon fiber that is eight times more formable with strength equivalent to continuous fibers, enhancing its prospects to form to complex aircraft shapes and cut manufacturing costs.

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 #f-35 #autoclave

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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

Videos / Podcasts

Hi-Temp Resins

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

RTM

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.
#polyimide

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

Infusion

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.
#spiritaerosystems #Basics #generalaviation

composite 3D printed autonomous underwater vehicle

Additive Manufacturing

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

May 03, 2021 - 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

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.
#automation #composites4_0

Additive Manufacturing |

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

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Aerospace

Rockwood Composites to quadruple capacity with new U.K. facility, subsidiary in Morocco

U.K. composite components manufacture will transition from 5,000 to more than 30,000 square meters of facility space, with additional growth in end market services and skilled engineers.

Defense

Collins Aerospace selected by AFRL to build thermoplastic composite fin for F-16

Part of $100 million, five-year investment to advance, qualify thermoplastic composites for military and commercial aero applications.
#trends

Additive Manufacturing

Fortify ships Flux Core 3D printer to Ierus Technologies

Novel radio-frequency structures for defense systems are to be designed for and built via Fortify’s Flux Core composite-photopolymer 3D printer.

Carbon Fibers

Toray Composite Materials America to double Torayca T1100 production capacity

The upgrade to the company’s Decatur, Alabama, carbon fiber plant is set to begin April 2023 in order to support rising demand in defense applications.
#trends

Defense

Boeing reveals new Advanced Composite Fabrication Center

First of new purpose-built innovative defense factories based in Mesa, Ariz., U.S., will produce advanced composite components, leverage Industry 4.0 best practices from recent programs.
#composites4_0 #trends

Defense

GA-ASI establishes Additive Design and Manufacturing Center of Excellence

New Center focuses on AM applications, R&D, large-scale tooling and next-generation flight hardware to streamline UAS manufacturing.

Additive Manufacturing |

Plant tour: National Institute for Aviation Research, Wichita, Kan., U.S.

NIAR, located at Wichita State University in the heart of the American aerospace manufacturing industry, has evolved to become a premier hub of teaching, R&D, creativity and innovation.
#planttour

Jeff Sloan Editor-in-Chief, 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 #layup