Lightning Protection Research and Development

With the constantly increasing regulatory framework and safety standards, it is essential that companies anticipate future changes in lightning protection standards. Moreover, a correct understanding of the background of lightning protection technology gives the ability to influence such committees as EUROCAE WG31 and SAE AE2L. This ensures that optimum lightning protection is applied rather than incurring cost/weight penalties for over-protection, or costly failures arising from under-protection.

Lightning Testing and Consultancy is at the forefront of lightning protection research programmes with international membership which includes leading aerospace companies. This work improves international standards, the development of test equipment and methods, and design information for lightning protection.

European Collaborative Ventures:

FULMEN Programme (1996-99):

• Direct and indirect effects threat definition for aircraft.

MESA

• Testing and analysis for the threat to ground based installations on large sites.

EM Haz

• Lightning research for aircraft including threats such as indirect effects, damage to composites and fuel ignition hazards.

Lightning Club

Lightning Club membership offers aerospace companies the opportunity to participate in lightning research programmes and receive regular briefings on the technical activities carried out during this work. The areas of research are chosen by the members themselves, giving unique and cost-effective access to unparallelled lightning research resources and historical research findings.

Project LIGHTNING

1. SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME Aeronautics and Space
2. Lightning Protection for Structures and Systems on Aircraft using Lightweight Composite Materials - Project LIGHTNING

The European aviation industry has adopted new lightweight composite materials for primary structures and flight control surfaces, especially using carbon fibre reinforcement. Composites are lightweight, stiff, and provide smooth and aerodynamically efficient surfaces. Carbon fibre is particularly attractive because it has good corrosion and fatigue properties.

However, lightning protection is difficult to incorporate into a composite aircraft compared to a conventional aluminium one. Composite airframes also give less intrinsic electromagnetic shielding compared to aluminium, making it more difficult to protect the structure & avionics systems.

The small size and low weight of General Aviation (GA) aircraft means that the weight penalty which comes from the added lightning protection is very significant.

This project looks to optimise lightning protection for aircraft using lightweight composite structure.

The programme will look at areas where lightning protection has been found difficult to design in or to certificate in the past.

The programme will produce guidelines and acceptable design approaches for structures, flight control surfaces, fuel systems and avionics systems.

Primary study areas

1. Lightweight composite skins with carbon, glass, foam or honeycomb and external lightning protection.
2. Understanding of the mechanisms for damage and identification of optimum protection methodologies for such structures
3. Composite structural fuel tanks and elimination of ignition hazards
4. Avionics systems protection, especially through use of shielding methods such as pipes and conduits
5. Electrical Power systems protection [especially from transients directly injected onto power busses from engine alternators]
6. Canopy protection

Project LIGHTNING Partners