When it comes to determining how well an aircraft will perform, the thrust-to-weight ratio is one of the most important metrics. Aerospace manufacturers have always aimed to keep this ratio as low as possible by creating lighter aircraft, but the metals traditionally used in aircraft bodies are heavy. Composite materials, on the other hand, are lighter and enable manufacturers to create more fuel-efficient aircraft when mixed with metal. Let’s examine the history of composites in the aerospace industry and where future innovation is headed.