Market Trends of Composites in United States Defense Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Composites In US Defense Market according to our research experts:
The Thermoplastic Composites Segment is Expected to Register the Highest Growth Rate During the Forecast Period
The thermoplastic composites segment is expected to experience major growth in the United States defense market during the forecast period. Thermoset molding compounds are offered in unique formulations of existing thermoset chemistries, depending on the demands of the application. The key properties of thermoset composites for military applications include lightweight load-bearing, high-strength, corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, high impact resistance, highly repeatable volumes to scale (for joint services applications), and long-life span. In the United States, thermoset composites are used for munition containers, where high-value items need safe storage and transportation; gunner seats on armored personnel carriers (APCs), where molded-in mounting inserts provide high torque retention and excellent load-bearing properties; handguards for the M-16 field weapon, where thermal insulation and durability are key; and rotary aircraft components, where durability and lightweight are critical to safe performance. Three of the most common thermoset resins are polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxy. Due to the inherent performance benefits over metals and alloys, thermoset plastics are used extensively for military aircraft construction. On this note, thermoset composites constitute around 24% of the airframe structural weight of an F-22 aircraft, while the F-35 wingtip fairings are made up of a thermoset epoxy reinforced with carbon nanotubes. Upcoming defense projects are envisioned to feature a higher volume of thermoset composites, thereby driving the thermoset composites segment of the market during the forecast period.
The Manned and Unmanned Aircraft Segment Dominates the Market in Terms of Market Share
The manned and unmanned aircraft segment currently dominates the market and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. Advancements in composite technology have helped US-based military aircraft manufacturers build lighter, faster, and stronger aircraft in recent years. Composites are being used in several new aerial platforms with the US military like the F-35 and F/A-18E/F Hornet fighters, CH53, V-22 Osprey, UH60M Blackhawk, AH-64 Apache helicopters, and A400M transport aircraft. Furthermore, to reduce fuel costs and increase range, speed, and payload capability, the country's armed forces are working with government bodies and manufacturers to further enhance composites' usage on all future aerial platforms. The Air Force is currently emphasizing replacing aluminum and titanium alloys in aerial platforms with composite materials. The Air Force Research Laboratory (ARFL) partnered with companies like Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation, Proof Research, and Triumph Aerostructures to develop advanced, high-temperature polymer matrix composites (PMCs) that can replace titanium parts in aircraft and can potentially reduce the weight of parts by over 40%, saving fuel and increasing the efficiency and range of the aircraft. In addition to this, there has been an increased use of composites in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In November 2019, the United States successfully conducted the first flight of the Gremlin unmanned aircraft, which are multi-user systems capable of being fitted with different payloads and can be used in swarms to accomplish different missions. The composite-constructed Gremlin UAV weighs 363 kg and has a pivoting wing. Such increasing investments in the integration of composites into aerial platforms are anticipated to drive the growth of the market.
