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,...