Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for development and production of composite raw materials during the Aero India 2021 held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
This is the first time that such MoU has been signed for composite raw materials.
Composites raw materials, mainly in the form of pre-pregs, are used in platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) are currently imported.
The usage of composites in the aerospace is going to exist and increase, particularly for fighter aircraft/helicopter because of its inherent advantages over metallic raw materials. In addition, a similar requirement exists for other aerospace and defence programmes, including those of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).