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As the “low-altitude economy” rapidly expands, commercialization of advanced aerial vehicles is accelerating. Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), widely known as fiberglass composites, has emerged as a core material in this sector. Offering a comprehensive suite of advantages—including lightweight properties, high strength, corrosion resistance, cost-effectiveness, and exceptional electromagnetic transparency—GFRP is extensively applied in structural and functional components for drones, eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft), and light general aviation.

1. Core Applications of GFRP in the Low-Altitude Economy

① Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs / Drones) – The Most Mature Application

Fuselage, Wings, and Tail Surfaces: Provides a 20%-30% weight reduction while delivering 1.5 times the tensile strength of aluminum alloys. Features excellent fatigue resistance and high molding flexibility; approximately 70% of medium-to-large drones utilize GFRP for structural framing.
Radomes and Fairings: Delivers over 90% radar wave transmittance, ensuring clear signal transmission and minimal electromagnetic interference. Widely used in reconnaissance and logistics drones.
Propellers and Rotor Blades: Combined with nylon and other matrices, blade rigidity is increased by 40% and durability is significantly enhanced to withstand frequent takeoff and landing loads, extending operational lifespan by 2-3 times for agricultural and industrial drones.
Battery Compartments & Electronic Enclosures: Balances lightweight construction, high strength, and electrical insulation. Reduces weight by 15% compared to ABS while doubling structural strength.

② eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Aircraft

Airframe Frames and Non-load-bearing Skins: Frequently combined with carbon fiber to reduce costs by up to 40% compared to all-carbon-fiber solutions while maintaining structural integrity and weight savings. For instance, some mainstream eVTOLs use glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics joined via laser welding, boosting structural efficiency by 35%.
Avionics Housing: Offers high temperature resistance (>120°C) and superior insulation, safeguarding RF power amplifiers and control module enclosures.
Secondary Structural Components: Used for wingtips and tail assemblies instead of traditional metals, cutting weight by 25% and accelerating eVTOL commercialization.

③ Light General Aviation Aircraft & Helicopters

Interior Non-load-Bearing Parts: Cabin doors, overhead bins, and interior panels made from glass fiber/PP composites reduce weight by 15% and prevent long-term deformation.
Cargo Flooring and Partitions: Hybrid composites (glass fiber + silicon carbide fiber) deliver a flexural strength of up to 105MPa, maintaining stable performance in extreme environments ranging from 190°C to 600°C.

④ Low-Altitude Infrastructure

Drone Landing Pads & Hangars: GFRP panels combined with steel structures achieve a 60% weight reduction, withstand Category 12 typhoons, and cut construction time in half.
Base Station Radomes: Superior wave transparency and weather resistance protect internal antennas in harsh outdoor conditions.

2. Key Advantages of Glass Fiber Composites for Low-Altitude Aircraft

Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Combines low weight with mechanical performance close to metals, directly improving payload capacity and flight endurance.
Superior Corrosion Resistance: Highly resistant to moisture, acids, alkalis, and salt fog, significantly lowering maintenance costs and safety risks.
High Design Flexibility: Customizable through resin selection and fiber orientation to form complex aerodynamic shapes.
Favorable Electromagnetic Properties: Non-conductive and transparent to electromagnetic waves, making it ideal for radomes, communication housings, and electrical shielding.
Cost-Effectiveness: Offers a highly competitive price-to-performance ratio compared to carbon fiber, facilitating large-scale manufacturing and market expansion for the low-altitude economy.

3. Industry Challenges & Strategic Outlook

High-End Material Advancements: As demand for aerospace-grade and high-performance fiberglass composites grows, continuous R&D focus is shifting toward breaking technical bottlenecks and increasing domestic production autonomy.
Continuous Technological Innovation: Meeting the evolving demands of the low-altitude sector requires developing higher-strength, lower-energy-consumption, and fully recyclable composite materials.