The major reasons why CFRP is proving victorious in defence technology

The manufacture of components for military technology is something of a balancing act because its design and production process is defined by the challenge of finding a perfect balance between the factors of safety, resilience, durability and lightweight construction. Metals like steel and aluminium alloys were long viewed as the answer to the requirements of defence technology but ultimately they were not able to resolve the conflicting objectives presented by the aforementioned factors, since safety, durability and strength are typically achieved at the expense of weight. Today however, weight reduction is one of the key requirements of modern developments in defence technology. This explains why innovative fibre composites such as CFRP, aramids [e.g. Kevlar], basalt, aromatic polyesters [Vectran] or PBO [Zylon] are receiving ever more attention from the arms industry.