Unmanned aircraft made of high-temperature prepreg
The Camcopter® S-100 is a highly versatile autonomous UAV system. A new high-performance prepreg system is used for its fuselage to withstand very high temperatures and reduce weight.
(Published on July-August 2008 – JEC Magazine #42)
Amber Composites has developed a new prepreg system for high-performance aerospace and automotive applications. The C740 uses a flame-retardant, medium-viscosity cyanate ester resin system curing at 135°C pre-impregnated into high-performance fibres such as carbon, glass and kevlar. Post-cure peak temperatures can be as high as 344°C. The first commercial application is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced by Schiebel. The Camcopter® S-100 is a highly versatile autonomous UAV system developed to provide a unique balance between advanced capabilities and operation in tactical environments.
The system consists of a compact, helicopter-type aerial vehicle that can be fitted with a wide variety of payloads, tailored to meet diverse user requirements. Amber and Schiebel have been working together for the past five years to develop, test and deploy extremely technologically-advanced material for its UAV products, in a constant effort to minimize component weight. Schiebel’s strategy of decreasing weight has resulted in a UAV with extremely high vehicle performance and payload potential. A technical highlight is the patented centre fuselage, which is designed as a composite monocoque, but also serves as fuel tank. Schiebel will be using Amber’s C740 to decrease the weight of the exhaust system and the engine.
