Composites Use in Military & Defense
One of the main drivers of composites use in defense-related structures – such as components for fighter jets and other aircraft, weapons systems, and to some extent land- and water-based vehicles – is the high temperatures and harsh conditions in which these applications are used. Composite materials also offer high impact resistance, light weight and corrosion resistance needed for work in the field.
Latest Defense Articles
VIEW ALLConstruction begins on Boeing Australia MQ-28 production facility
The 9,000 square-meter Queensland facility will bring new aerospace skillsets and technologies, including composites manufacturing, robotics, testing and assembly capabilities.
Read MoreJanicki receives Northrop Grumman Supplier Excellence Award
Designer and builder of tools, parts, prototypes and assemblies earns recognition for supporting defense manufacturing and distribution goals.
Read MoreMARS Center grows LFAM capabilities with JuggerBot 3D Tradesman Series
P3-44 pellet-fed 3D printer is capable of leveraging a range of fiber-reinforced composite materials, to be used for the production of high-fidelity components in aerospace and defense.
Read MoreToray celebrates commissioning of expanded Torayca T1100 production line
Doubled carbon fiber production capacity at Toray’s Decatur, Alabama, plant will support rising demand in U.S. defense.
Read MoreBallistic protection panels manufacturer relies on automation for high throughput, efficiency
Maine-based CW Top Shops honoree Compotech Inc. recently doubled its manufacturing space and team to produce modular composite panels for defense applications via light resin transfer molding (LRTM).
Read MoreIndustrializing additive manufacturing in the defense/aerospace sector
GA-ASI demonstrates a path forward for the use of additive technologies for composite tooling, flight-qualified parts.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
Explore the cutting-edge composites industry, as experts delve into the materials, tooling, and manufacturing hurdles of meeting the demands of the promising advanced air mobility (AAM) market. Join us at CW Tech Days to unlock the future of efficient composites fabrication operations.
LEARN MOREDuring CW Tech Days: Thermoplastics for Large Structures, experts explored the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition to large-part manufacturing.
LEARN MOREReview the state of the art in design, simulation, failure analysis, digital twins, virtual testing and virtual inspection.
LEARN MORELatest Defense News And Updates
Beta Technologies completes first Alia deployment with U.S. DOD
The U.S. Air Force conducted on-base and cross-country mission and performance evaluations of Beta’s composites-intensive CTOL aircraft, hitting key milestones.
Read MoreAMD receives DASA funding for U.K. unmanned air system competition
AMD will incorporate existing low-cost radar absorbing material technologies to advance autonomous air systems.
Read MoreAirbus Helicopters expands UAS portfolio with Aerovel
The U.S. company brings with it the Flexrotor UAS aircraft, which will strengthen Airbus’ intelligence, surveillance and security capabilities.
Read MoreDzyne Technologies announces new California manufacturing facility for UAS production
Dzyne offers composite fabrication, avionics fabrication and assembly, and aircraft integration among other manufacturing capabilities to support current and future UAS needs, further enabled by the new 125,000-square-foot facility in Irvine.
Read MoreDOD awards $3.7 to Qarbon Aerospace to enhance thermoplastics production
Qarbon Aerospace will focus on the design, development and manufacture of a thermoplastic composite structure for defense aviation components requiring icing protection.
Read MoreIntegris Composites unveils customizable composite ballistic shields, vests
Rapid Don/Doff body armor vests and tailorable shield service enhances military and law enforcement unit options.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
From the CW Archives: Airbus A400M cargo door
The inaugural CW From the Archives revisits Sara Black’s 2007 story on out-of-autoclave infusion used to fabricate the massive composite upper cargo door for the Airbus A400M military airlifter.
Read MorePlant 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.
Read MoreLarge-format 3D printing enables toolless, rapid production for AUVs
Dive Technologies started by 3D printing prototypes of its composite autonomous underwater vehicles, but AM became the solution for customizable, toolless production.
WatchLockheed 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.
Read MoreHigh-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.
Read MorePlant 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.
Read MoreFAQ: Defense
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.