IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS MISSION TO TRANSFER ADVANCED COMPOSITES TECHNOLOGY INTO THE AIR FORCE LOGISTIC ENVIRONMENT, THE AIR FORCE ADVANCED COMPOSITES PROGRAM OFFICE HAS REDESIGNED THE F-4 RUDDER USING COMPOSITE MATERIALS. THE COMPOSITES RUDDER DEMONSTRATES THE ADVANTAGES OF REPLACING ALUMINUM HONEYCOMB WITH POLYMETHACRYLIMIDE FOAM IN THIN SKIN SANDWICH STRUCTURES. THE ADVANTAGES INCLUDE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE AND DAMAGE TOLERANCE. LOW-COST MANUFACTURING METHODS WERE CONSIDERED AND ARE REFLECTED IN THE TOOLING DESIGN AND PROCESS SELECTION.