Advanced Composites Reshape Aircraft Production in Wichita
Manufacturers in Wichita are expanding their use of lightweight composite materials that make aircraft more efficient and durable.
Advanced composite materials are reshaping how aircraft are built in Wichita, as manufacturers expand their use of lightweight carbon-fiber structures that make planes more fuel efficient, durable, and quieter.
Composites, once reserved for high-end military and commercial aircraft, are increasingly common in business jets and general aviation. The materials allow designers to build strong, lightweight structures, but they require specialized manufacturing techniques, from precise layup to curing in massive autoclaves.
"Working with composites is a different craft than working with aluminum," an engineer at a local manufacturer said. The shift has driven investment in new equipment and training.
Suppliers in the region have expanded composite capabilities to serve the manufacturers, deepening a specialized supply chain that gives Wichita an edge in aircraft production.
