The National Composites Centre (NCC) has launched what it says is the UK’s first composites technology forum dedicated to the defense sector.
Plans are for the Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence to bringing together large industry firms, academia and SMEs to share knowledge, expertise and opportunities for future collaboration.
An initially meeting has been supported by the Ministry of Defence executive agencies, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) and the Submarine Delivery Agency, BAE Systems, Airbus Defence and Space, Babcock International, Lockheed Martin, Thales, MBDA, QinetiQ and Rolls Royce, the NCC said. The forum will discuss the next steps in composites technology development for defense.
Composites can be used in next generation weapon systems, air combat, land-based military vehicles and the UK’s naval ships and submarines, the organization said.
High performance vehicles including modern fighter jets are 80% made from composite materials, which equates to 40% of the total weight for the jet,’ said Richard Oldfield, NCC chief executive. ‘This proves just how effective composites are. However, we know that composite technologies still have a lot more to offer. This new forum will facilitate technical exchange between leading organisations in the industry to drive innovation and help position the UK as the global epicentre for composites in the defense sector.’
This story uses material from the NCC, with editorial changes made by Materials Today.
