Posted: February 03, 2018 | Completed: 20170601
What are the different materials, manufacturing methods, and properties for transparent aircraft parts?
DSIAC identified materials used in military aircraft transparencies (windshields or windscreens, canopies, windows, blast shields, etc.); predominant material differences in transparencies for different classes of aircraft (fighter jets, bombers, cargo/transport aircraft, rotary wing aircraft, etc.); and studies regarding differentiation of the materials from aircraft to aircraft.
DSIAC staff developed a report that discusses:
- the various types of transparencies and presents diagrams for each type;
- differences in and production of both monolithic (single layer) and laminate (multi-layer) transparencies;
- differences in materials used and material benefits;
- differences in application to various types of aircraft;
- differences in application between military and commercial aviation aircraft;
- the various types of materials used in the main structural layers, interlayers between them, and their purpose; and
- additional exterior and interior layers and other special coatings applied for environmental protection, crew spall shielding, electromagnetic protection, and other purposes.
Additionally, the report provides:
- a list of transparency manufacturers and their website links,
- over 20 data sheets for specific military and commercial aviation aircraft transparencies, and
- a bibliography for DTIC documents related to aircraft transparency materials and testing.
Finally, a table of U.S. DoD attack, fighter and bomber transparency information researched from available DTIC reports was developed that provides information on:
- transparency type,
- manufacture,
- structure,
- number and order of plies and interlayers, and
- material type and thickness for each ply or interlayer.