In this study, graphite-epoxy composite materials are used in conceptual design of major structural portions of an advanced medium STOL transport (AMST) aircraft. Low-cost design concepts combined with innovative manufacturing techniques contribute to a unit cost reduction of $760,000 and a life-cycle cost saving of $474 million for a resized composite aircraft using pitch-based fiber, and maintaining the same performance as the larger baseline metal aircraft. When the composite design weight savings were converted to performance improvements, rather than to resizing, the vehicle could carry 20.4-percent more payload weight, fly the baseline payload 46.3 percent farther, or take off from a 6-percent shorter runway.
Advanced Composite Design Concepts for the AMST
Sae Technical Papers
Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing Meeting ; 1974
1974-02-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Metals , Composite materials , Aircraft , Fibers , Runways
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