The future of UK defence will be shaped by the materials we can access - and increasingly, by those we can produce ourselves. Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are becoming critical to the next wave of aerospace and hypersonic systems. They offer a step change in performance where traditional materials fall short.
But right now, the majority of these materials are imported under strict controls. That’s a risk - and an opportunity. If we want to keep pace with global technological developments, we need to build sovereign capability, fast.
Meeting the hypersonic challenge
Hypersonic systems don’t just fly fast - they push materials to the limit. Speeds over Mach 5 mean components are exposed to temperatures well above 1,500°C. Traditional ablative heat shields struggle to cope, and monolithic ceramics often fail due to their brittle nature.
This is the space where CMCs shine - combining high thermal stability with strength and durability. These advanced materials are necessary if the UK wants to field next-gen systems in a realistic timeframe.
Oxide-based CMCs now offer viable solutions for many aerospace environments - but for the most thermally demanding roles, they won’t be enough. Non-oxide CMCs can perform close to 3,000°C, opening the door to propulsion and thermal protection systems we simply can’t build today with UK-sourced materials.
The catch? They're tightly controlled and dominated by overseas suppliers. That dependency creates a clear vulnerability in the UK defence supply chain - and a real limit on our ability to innovate and deploy independently.
Building sovereign capabilities
We’ve started laying the foundations for a sovereign UK capability. At NCC, we now have high-temperature processing equipment capable of manufacturing non-oxide CMC components at scale.
We’ve also developed the HASTE process with UKAEA, cutting both production time and cost by more than half compared to traditional manufacturing routes. That makes advanced CMCs far more viable for defence applications - not just in the lab, but in production.
The launch of the UK’s first carbon fibre development line is another vital milestone. It’s early days, but it marks the start of a domestic route to critical feedstocks. This is how sovereign capability begins - with real assets, tested processes, and collaboration across industry.
Forging the future of UK defence
The UK defence requirement is clear: materials that can survive the harsh operating environments of future platforms, from the demands of propulsion to the sustained thermal and mechanical stresses of high-speed flight.At NCC, we’re not just developing those materials - we’re helping build the national capability behind them. That includes connecting MOD, primes, SMEs and research partners to articulate the need, share knowledge, and prioritise investment.
We also convene the sector - running working groups and tech-focused sessions to bring together those designing, building, and deploying future systems. The aim is simple - to help the UK develop extreme materials, at pace, and with a reliable supply chain.
Looking ahead
The next decade will determine whether the UK builds a credible sovereign capability in hypersonics.
Team Hypersonics, backed by Government, sets the ambition - but delivery will depend on sustained R&D and strong partnerships across the ecosystem.
At NCC, we’re here to support that transition. We bring deep engineering experience, cutting-edge facilities, and a track record of taking lab-scale ideas into industrial production. We understand the demands of defence - and we’re ready to help UK companies rise to meet them.
If your organisation is developing next-gen defence systems and looking to build CMC capability, we’d like to talk. You’ll find us at DSEI this year - or get in touch via [email protected] to start a conversation.