Lightning strike direct effects

Abstract The chapter starts with an introduction to atmospheric discharge (lightning) and the potential structural damage that lightning would cause on unprotected aerospace composite components. This is followed by the presentation of test methods, and current and proposed methods to protect composite material from the effects of lightning. The chapter expands the discussion to the current state of the art in modeling lightning strike events. Summarizing the available modeling approaches, and how such developing technology may be used to understand and ultimately design composite material protection, minimizing the reliance on the physical test. The chapter finishes with a summary of the outstanding challenges in testing, modeling, and design, which require continued research.