modern aircraft are constructed (bonded) in such a way that allows the massive electrical loads experienced in a lightning strike to be safely dispersed via static discharge wicks which are usually located near the wingtips and the vertical stabilizer.
Probably a stupid question: I assume "bonded" refers to composite materials. How do the modern composite designs deal with this? My experience with composites is 15 years old and was very limited, but IIRC, the composite components do not conduct electricity that well, and might not take the heat from an impact as well as metal (could be wrong of course). While big portions are still metal, aren't some only composite? I am sure they found a solution (or this is not a problem)....but how?