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.

National Composites Week 2025: Aviation and AAM
Aerospace

National Composites Week 2025: Aviation and AAM

Commemorating the theme “Performance With Purpose,” CW has gathered key stories over the last year that exemplify how composites have progressed aviation, AAM and defense.

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Latest Defense Articles

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Electroformed barrier technology hits project milestones, use case potential

Under the LEEF project, leading edge protection layer for composite structures developed by Ultima Forma and Polar Technology is being considered for eVTOL/UAV rotor and propeller blades, aerofoils and outlet guide vanes.

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Defense

Aerodine Composites expands composite propeller capabilities

Mission-tailored propellers for unmanned platforms including drones and UAS/UAVs are built for reliability, stealth and adaptability.

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Registration opens for CW Tech Days: High-Temperature Composite Solutions

CW Tech Days: High-Temperature Composite Solutions for Defense and Space Applications will take place Oct. 16, 2025.

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Digitization

Scaled Composites Model 437 aircraft to be flown for Beacon autonomy testbed

Northrop Grumman subsidiary part of Digital Pathfinder development of stealth aircraft with wings using continuous carbon fiber additive manufacturing and determinate assembly.  

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Adhesives

Mako, PTM&W Industries launch HyperCure composite systems

The Mako resin and adhesive system, paired with PTM&W’s comprehensive materials portfolio, deliver speed, strength and full U.S. supply chain compliance for composite UAS manufacturers.

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Aerospace

Piasecki launches Kargo II UAV featuring triple payload capacity

Payload, drivetrain and performance enhancements will support a range of military and commercial missions.

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Knowledge Centers

CW Tech Days: Bonding and Welding
CW Tech Days: Bonding and Welding

Join us for insights into advanced bonding techniques and welding processes for composite materials to ensure durability and structural integrity.

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Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures
Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures

Review the state of the art in design, simulation, failure analysis, digital twins, virtual testing and virtual inspection.

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Composites in Advanced Air Mobility
Composites in Advanced Air Mobility

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.

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Latest Defense News And Updates

Aerospace

Fibre Glast achieves AS9120B certification

Composites distributor demonstrates compliance with rigorous aerospace, aviation and defense quality standards in addition to its existing ISO 9001:2015 certification.

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Defense

Archer acquires assets from Overair, Mission Critical Composites

Aiming to accelerate its defense aircraft portfolio, acquisitions include a patent portfolio from tiltrotor aircraft specialist Overair, and a composites manufacturing site.

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Defense

CRG Defense secures $2 million contract to build hybrid military vehicle electric motors/generators

The effort also supports a broader initiative to accelerate hybrid-electric propulsion technologies to ground and air platforms, leveraging FRP structures and composite-based magnetic retention systems.

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Defense

Third Re:Build Manufacturing site achieves AS9100 certification

New Kensington site certification expands Re:Build’s aerospace and defense manufacturing footprint, offering customers an experienced, responsive partner capable of taking on mission-critical programs.

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Defense

Mangohojden acquires Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd.

Swedish company seeks to develop a group of specialist aerospace and defense businesses to improve and enable investments needed to meet European industry demand.

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Aerospace

Spintech grows Miamisburg footprint to advance composite airframe capabilities

Additional 53,000 square footage, which could grow to 250,000 square feet of operational space by 2027, will support complex airframe component delivery for DOD, UAS programs.

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Featured Posts

Aerospace

Ceramic matrix composites: Faster, cheaper, higher temperature

New players proliferate, increasing CMC materials and manufacturing capacity, novel processes and automation to meet demand for higher part volumes and performance.

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Defense

Converting carbon fiber for UHTCMC to 3500°C

Advanced Ceramic Fibers LLC demonstrates ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites using SiC and other metallic carbides for applications in aerospace, defense, energy and more.

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RTM

From prototypes to performance: Composites company makes inroads into new markets

Top Shops 2024 honoree Calian’s composites division blends R&D, rapid prototyping and scalable production with deep engineering integration and corporate synergy.

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Aerospace

Near-zero erosion ultra-high temperature CMC

K3RX commercializes UHTCMC for a wide range of markets, demonstrating performance in prototypes, assemblies and advancing manufacturing to reduce cost.

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Aerospace

A return to the Space Symposium: Charting the next frontier

Since 2019 the space sector has been on a rapid upward trajectory. This year’s Space Symposium delivered that same optimism, celebrating the community’s continued proliferation, even as political and financial uncertainty raise new questions.

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Aerospace

JEC World 2025 highlights: Trends in aerospace, new space and defense

CW editor-in-chief Scott Francis discusses trends in aerospace on display at JEC World — as the composites industry awaits a new single aisle aircraft program, the industry puts continued focus on new space, defense, UAM.

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CW Tech Days: High-Temp Composite Solutions

FAQ: 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.

Source: Antiballistics: Better defense, less expense