Seeking innovation in composite structures for combat aircraft

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and National Composites Centre (NCC) have launched a competition to explore the art of the possible for the next generation of lightweight, strong and resilient combat aircraft composite structures.

This includes novel approaches to overall structural layout, manufacturing and assembly to the optimal combination of detail features, and material selection.

The primary aims of the programme are:

• to develop airframe design concepts through trades studies and worked examples; and
• to systematically collate and develop the underpinning data upon which the airframe design trades are built, including the performance of composite materials and features, and to identify and mitigate those features that are constraining performance and cost.

All intellectual property owned by individual organisations will be protected and tracked. Interested parties should pitch their ideas and capabilities through an Expression of Interest on the NCC website.