Light Land composite promises emissions savings for planes

Developed in partnership with Safran Landing Systems, Light Land is said to be the world’s largest metal composite created for civil aircraft. Made from titanium and aluminium, it is the forerunner for what TISICS said will be a range of metal composite components that could reduce aviation emissions by 9.6 million tonnes if adopted across wide-body fleets. The company said its composites offer a weight reduction of 30-70 per cent, surpassing the strength and stiffness of titanium at a 40 per cent lower density and outperforming high-strength steel.

"We're hugely excited to showcase the potential of Light Land for the UK's aerospace industry,” said Stephen Kyle-Henney, CEO at TISICS.  

“Offering high-value, fuel-efficient, zero-carbon, and commercially available aircraft components is a huge first step towards achieving JetZero. TISICS' future products will lead to increased competitiveness for UK aero-manufacturers, securing a first-mover advantage in high-value markets. This will create a domestic supply chain, reshoring previously imported products, and generating over 240 highly skilled jobs in the UK within the next five years."

According to the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and PwC, the development of ultra-efficient lightweight aerostructures represents a £9.8bn market opportunity by 2041. By transitioning toward low-carbon aviation technologies, the UK could grow its market share from 13 per cent to nearly 17 per cent by 2050, leading to a global market for new aircraft deliveries worth £4.6 trillion between 2022 and 2050.

While incorporating low carbon propulsion technologies such as hydrogen into aircraft will likely take place over the longer term – and require the development of new airframe designs – lightweighting of existing components represents low hanging fruit for the sector.

“Reduction of landing gear structural mass is a key lever for Safran Landing Systems in its roadmap to net zero emissions for aircraft,” said Kyle Schmidt senior vice president R&T, Innovation & Eco-Design, Safran Landing Systems.

“TISICS’ innovative metal matrix composite technologies offer an interesting and compelling possibility to achieve lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft while maintaining architectural similarity to current products.”