Title: ULTRA-LIGHT COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR STRUCTURAL, REPEATED-IMPACT, AND BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE IN RADOME AND DRONE APPLICATIONS

Authors: Hemant Chouhan, Neelanchali Asija, Kartikeya Kartikeya, Rajesh Punia, Ashok Bhatnagar

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33599/GL.2026.INCOMAT.TP26-0019

Abstract: The need for multifunctional materials that balance electromagnetic (EM) transparency with high impact resilience has increased as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and sophisticated radar platforms have grown. Due to their brittle failure modes and higher weight, traditional fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites frequently don’t fulfil the mass-efficiency and survivability requirements of contemporary contested environments. This study uses commercially available high-performance prepregs to assess a new class of ultralight composite materials designed using a fibre-first, architecture-driven methodology. The lightest structurally feasible architectures that preserve electromagnetic neutrality are created by employing Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) and hybrid fibre configurations. Three performance aspects were examined in this work, namely mass-normalised resistance to high-velocity fragments, durability under repeated impact and dielectric behaviour relevant to radar transparency. The findings show that UHMWPE-based laminates provide outstanding specific energy absorption and hybrid architectures provide the best possible balance between structural rigidity and radar fidelity by reducing polyethylene's intrinsic low compressive stiffness. The suggested systems significantly improve multi-hit survivability while achieving a 20-40% weight reduction compared to traditional glass-epoxy radomes. The presented work offers a logical framework for creating impact-hardened, mass-critical structures necessary for the long-term operation of next-generation aerospace platforms.

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Conference: INCOMAT 2026

Publication Date: 2026/03/13

SKU: INCOMAT.TP26-0019

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00