Military and defense composites play a key role in what we do here at Aerodine Composites. We place a special emphasis on lightweight composites that are strong enough to manage the rigors of military and defense applications. As anyone involved in military and defense knows, weight is a big deal.
Reducing overall weight pays off in countless ways. So when we can find ways to use composites like fiberglass and carbon fiber, military and defense applications are improved. But how does reducing weight actually help?
Whether you are talking about combat vehicles or personal gear for soldiers, reducing weight increases mobility and agility. Lighter vehicles move more swiftly across the battlefield. They are easier to control and capable of traversing terrain that is out of reach for heavier vehicles.
Today’s battlefield relies heavily on mobility and agility. The most mobile and agile combatants tend to be the winners. Therefore, weight reduction is a constant priority when developing new equipment and vehicles.
As far as soldiers are concerned, weight reduction equals less fatigue. Soldiers can carry lighter loads. They experience less physical strain, which leads to improved endurance and better combat effectiveness.
A modern army consumes a lot of fuel in its day-to-day operations. And just as with civilian vehicles, military vehicles demonstrate better fuel efficiency when weight is reduced. Improved fuel efficiency means less fuel consumed without reducing distance traveled.
Be careful not to think of fuel efficiency only in terms of land vehicles. It applies to all types of vehicles. For example, military and defense composites that make for lighter aircraft wings and engines significantly improve fuel efficiency. Planes can fly further than ever before.
Whether it is a land, sea, or air vehicle, every military vehicle has a load capacity. Simply put, a vehicle can only carry so much weight. Reducing vehicle weight allows for heavier loads. That means lighter vehicles can carry more supplies and equipment then their heavier counterparts.
Higher payload capacities make an enormous difference in combat. But even when units are not involved in active duty, higher payload capacities increase logistical efficiency. Units can move more with less.
Here in the U.S., we haven’t fought many battles on our own soil – with the exception of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Most of our military operations occur overseas. That being the case, asset transport and deployment is a major concern. We need to get our soldiers, equipment, vehicles, and supplies from here to there.
Concentrating on weight reduction gives us the opportunity to help make transport and deployment easier. Lighter vehicles are easier to move. Lighter equipment is easier to carry. The less weight our forces have to move, the easier it is to move great distances.
Lightweight military and defense composites even improve performance. In terms of aerospace applications, lighter aircraft perform better. On land, combining lighter composites with aerodynamic designs makes for better performance for tanks, transport vehicles, etc. And on the high seas, lighter ships are faster and more maneuverable.
Our industry is even deploying lightweight military and defense composites to improve stealth. In modern warfare, stealth capabilities are increasingly more critical. Our military needs even better composites to stay ahead of the competition.
Military and defense composites have a lot to offer. Among their many appealing characteristics is a high strength-to-weight ratio. Lightweight composites that are just as strong make for better military operations. Here at Aerodine, we are thrilled to be part of equipping the military with lightweight composites.
