Pug and play LRS-B

foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com...


This is a cool little write up on composite and quick air craft productions. The X-55 went had about 3000 parts and 30,000 fasteners. They managed to get the X-55 down to 300 parts and only 400 fasteners.

The modular lay out of the LRS-B and this X-55 shows off how modular componants will help keep costs down on super expensive upgrades and redesign, with modular design as technology matures you can just unplug you old 'black box' and pop in your new one. plug and play

Less fasteners equals less stress at holes and reduced tendency for micro cracks.Longevity with glues and adhesives will be the telling point.First full composite was a Supermarine Spitfire fuselage built out of at the time high tech resin impregnated material like Bakelite.It lasted three months out under the sun.
Another trick with modulation is running control lines and other systems inside the composites.All will work well until you have to replace a small damaged section. See Australian Tiger Helo vs axe wielding protestor (hippy) for that outcome..