An affordable methodology for replacing metallic aircraft panels with advanced composites

This paper describes an affordable approach to substitute metallic honeycomb panels with more durable stiffened graphite/epoxy composite panels. Although the technology is generic, it is being demonstrated on a honeycomb panel for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 aircraft. This panel was selected with the aim of validating the design, manufacture and certification approaches. Future work will focus on airworthiness certification, operational testing, addressing service related issues, and composite substitution of other types of metallic components.