A system of composite and adhesive materials provides for a high strength,
producible closeout joint in the form of tapered tension bond joint for
high performance structures. The system includes one skin that is
co-bonded to flat panel spars, with the joint being positioned at the
opposite side of the spars. The spar includes a female receptacle that
receives a male blade from the closeout skin assembly. The blade and
receptacle are wedge-shaped woven preforms. The flat panel spars have
imbedded nut elements that serve as "internal tooling" to provide a
positive stop for locating and clamping the structural members together.