POSITIONED AT THE FOREFRONT: THE GROWING DEMAND FOR COMPOSITE MATERIALS

The war against Hamas underscored the profound transformation of Israel's military system, with far-reaching implications expected to shape developments in the years ahead. It exposed not only new forms of combat but also rapid adoption of technologies that, until recently, were on the margins of operational use.

The conflict saw a shift in focus toward manned and unmanned aerial vehicles — airplanes, helicopters, drones, UAVs, rockets and missiles. Broadly speaking, recent combat cycles accelerated processes already underway in the defence industry: the growing need to develop lightweight platforms that are strong, extremely durable and capable of
carrying increasingly complex systems and equipment.

Israel's defense industry supports all arenas of warfare. It serves as a hub of expertise, research and technological development, while continually integrating state-of-the-art systems, components, tools and materials. A vital link in the supply chain that provides the technologies, materials and knowhow which drive this industry is Tango Engineering. Tango represents leading global manufacturers and is a key supplier of the composite materials, auxiliary materials and equipment essential in producing lightweight platforms and systems for Israel's foremost defense industries.

Tango was founded in 2001 by Zeev Cang , a mechanical engineer who completed his studies at Fairliegh Dickinson University the United States and then worked at Gerber Scientific serving NASA. There he encountered the unique capabilities of composite materials and the critical advantages they offer the space industry. Recognizing their potential, he set out to bring these benefits to Israel's defense and aerospace sectors.

Privately owned, Tango Engineering has spent the past 25 years serving Israel's defense industries. It supplies advanced composite materials along with technological guidance and consulting, delivering customized solutions across diverse projects.

Cang, Tango Engineering's founder and CEO, notes that Israel's defence industry requires capabilities measured not only by system performance but also by the technologies and materials that enable it. "The current trend is to build a technological and engineering infrastructure of materials suited for an era in which weight, rigidity and durability are key," he says. "The recent war provided a window into the battlefields of the future. At Tango, we continuously monitor these scenarios, analysing both current and emerging operational needs, and assessing how composite materials will be integrated and shape the next generation of combat systems."

The dramatic increase in use of unmanned systems is fundamentally transforming the materials field, he stresses. "The aerospace industry and other sectors rely on advanced materials as much as they rely on propulsion systems and aerodynamics. There's a growing need for platforms capable of carrying complex systems while remaining both lightweight and hard-wearing."

The Hamas war underscored the critical role of composite materials as the fundamental building blocks for advanced platforms. "As the demand for fast, lightweight and long-lasting platforms continues to grow, so too does the importance of selecting the right materials and the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing technologies," he says. "Ultimately, it's the material that enables the system to accomplish its mission."

Composite Materials as a Strategic Engine for Aerospace and Defense
In Israel, the primary application of composite materials is concentrated within the defence sector, carbon fiber being the most prominent. Such materials are strong, lightweight and robust over long periods, making them exceptionally well-suited to defence sector demands. In recent years, their use has expanded significantly in aircraft structures, control components and complex aviation systems, becoming integral to the architecture of every modern aircraft. Other composite materials — glass fibers, Kevlar and high-molecular-weight polyethylene — are used in vests, helmets and other protective gear for soldiers and pilots.

Key Advantages of Carbon Fibers
"The ability to build components that are both light and strong provides a clear performance advantage," says Cang. "Once dominated by aluminium, the industry has increasingly turned to carbon fibers, which reduce weight, extend flight range and extend system longevity."

These materials form the foundation of next-generation platform systems, he asserts. "When carbon fibers are combined with advanced resins, the result is a material that's significantly lighter than metals while providing exceptional resistance to stress, wear and corrosion. This enables creation of equipment that's longer-lasting, requires minimal maintenance and allows fabrication of complex aerodynamic shapes, enhancing vehicle performance while simplifying assembly and upkeep."

Working with aerospace manufacturers demands not only provision of high-quality raw materials but also deep understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies and the ability to adapt materials to complex aerodynamic configurations. Tango Engineering is a unique and critical link between top-tier global material producers — Toray, Sigmatex, Composites One-Aerovac, Avient-Gordon Composites and more — and leading aerospace and defence organizations in Israel. The company's uniqueness lies, in part, in its delivery of exceptionally high-level technical support for the technologies, products and materials it represents in the Israeli market.

Manufacturing Engineering: From Production Technologies to Auxiliary Materials
Production of carbon fibers is knowledge-intensive and investment-heavy. The cost of establishing a production line for a single type of fiber can reach some $1.5 billion.

There are two primary types of carbon fibers, explains Cang. "The first, PAN carbon, based on polyacrylonitrile, is the most common and highest quality. The second is "Pitch Carbon", derived from pitch and used in applications requiring specific strength and hardness characteristics.

PAN is produced through carbonizing organic fibers at high temperatures, whereas carbon pitch exhibits high thermal conductivity and is therefore primarily used in aerospace systems to dissipate heat from electronic components."

Israel's defence industry largely relies on PAN technologies because of the balance they offer between low weight, strength and resistance to wear and corrosion. When high strength must be combined with minimal weight, this is the preferred technology.

Production of these materials involves more than just the fiber itself. It requires a variety of complementary consumable materials, among them, peel plies, release fabrics, separation sheets, core materials, mold-making compounds and vacuum systems.

Engineering Excellence in Composite Manufacturing
"Tango Engineering is long-established, has deep expertise in composite materials and production technologies and unique knowhow in materials regulated under Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) regulations," says Cang. "This is a knowledge-base possessed by few other companies in the field. It enables us to provide a wide range of consulting and support services to Israel's defence and aerospace industries. Our engineers, technicians, sales reps and service personnel optimize and streamline the customer's development and production processes from start to finish."

Effective manufacturing begins, he says, at the planning stage, with the choice of production method carefully aligned to the product's intended use and economically feasibility. "In our consulting process, we help clients design products for optimal manufacturability. A variety of materials and technologies are available for composites, whether they're one-off items that can be 3D-printed or small series produced using methods such as wet layup, prepreg fabrics, resin injection and curing (polymerization) processes. Each method requires careful selection of auxiliary materials to ensure quality and efficiency. Our regular clients receive consulting and support services as part of their material purchases, with these services also available on an hourly consulting basis."

Challenges Entering the Defence Market
As well as the technical challenges, a significant bureaucratic layer must be traversed. Israel's defence sector operates under very strict standards, and any entity seeking to supply materials or components must navigate a complex and often lengthy approval process. Entry barriers are high, as every material, process and supplier must meet stringent client requirements and obtain formal approvals. Quality control procedures and manufacturer certifications can take significant time, and the cost of qualifying a manufacturer or supplier is correspondingly high.

Because these materials are intended for military use, obtaining export approval requires a specialized process in accordance with international MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) regulations. One of Tango Engineering's strengths, according to Cang, is managing these bureaucratic procedures in coordination with client and manufacturer, completing the process with full transparency to ensure proper certification, and procurement.

Gaps Between Israel and the Global Composite Industry
Beyond domestic challenges, Cang points to wider systemic gaps. Israel's composite materials industry is not yet established as a leading sector, in part, he believes, because it is insufficiently supported by policymakers. "There are no dedicated training tracks for the field in academic institutions," he notes. "This makes it difficult to build the professional infrastructure needed to support rapid growth."

In recent months, other external pressures have emerged. Following heightened security tensions, countries worldwide are reassessing their supply chains with Israel's defence industries, generating uncertainty and necessitating increased efforts to maintain reliable supply sources and ensure uninterrupted production.

"This poses a real challenge for the supply chain," he says, "yet Tango Engineering is maintaining and even strengthening its relationships with the leading international materials manufacturers it represents. During the Hamas war and in the period since, we've worked hard to keep supply channels open through long-established partnerships, understanding that Israel's technological needs will only grow as the defence industries continue to lead innovation in the field."

The Future of Israel's Composites Industry
Although composite materials originated in the space and scientific sectors, their use has expanded over the years into a wide range of industries — infrastructure, light vehicles, modular buildings, sports and leisure equipment and more. "I believe the future will see further expansion into additional areas," says Cang. "These materials enable precise, lightweight and high-strength production — which is a clear advantage at any scale."

In collaboration with Tango Engineering

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