Additive manufacturing to make its mark with USAF
Collaboration with Essentium is designed to save time and money in replacing aircraft parts
The USAF has awarded Essentium a multi-year collaborative contract to accelerate the development and deployment of additive manufacturing (AM) solutions for tooling, ground support, MRO and flight-certified parts for military aircraft and ground vehicles.
This contract is part of a $550 million package in the inaugural Strategic Financing (STRATFI) initiative to identify and advance ‘big bet’ technologies for the USAF.
An Essentium-USAF project team will test and develop new materials and processes using the Essentium High Speed Extrusion 3D Printing Platform, which offers segment leading print speeds useful for both rapid part production at the point of use and decreasing the time required to certify new materials for use in flight.
Nathan Parker, Deputy PEO in the USAF Rapid Sustainment Office, said: ‘We will work together to drive additive manufacturing technology forward; for faster aircraft repairs that massively reduce time to deliver parts to keep our war fighters ready.’
Essentium claims that the multi-year collaborative contract has the potential to save the USAF and Air National Guard millions of dollars, by ramping up AM production and developing certified materials that will produce consistent quality AM parts at ‘unparalleled speed and economics’.
AM will also help the National Guard advance its ability to speed the production of parts for aging fleets of air and ground vehicles, Essentium noted.
Replacement parts for many elderly aircraft are scarce and expensive with long lead times. The USAF often resorts to cannibalising parts from the aircraft boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Global Ordnance and Sparkz disclose plans for 500,000 US-made UAV batteries a year]()
Global Ordnance and Sparkz disclose plans for 500,000 US-made UAV batteries a year
The companies have outlined plans for US$25 million manufacturing lines and initial deliveries in 2027 as Washington tightens restrictions on Chinese UAV components.
-
![Patria OPTIME and ILIAS: Orchestrating operational readiness across every domain]()
Patria OPTIME and ILIAS: Orchestrating operational readiness across every domain
Patria OPTIME is a sustainment concept that integrates MRO and lifecycle services into one solution, powered by the ILIAS digital defence platform
-
![US military seeks common controllers for drones and robotic systems]()
US military seeks common controllers for drones and robotic systems
US Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Special Operations Command initiatives signal demand for interoperable uncrewed systems control, creating opportunities for suppliers of hardware, software and integration services.
-
![“Start planning much earlier”: delivering defence support in an era of disruption]()
“Start planning much earlier”: delivering defence support in an era of disruption
In Conversation… The geopolitical landscape is increasingly uncertain, with the UK and its allies confronting the most unpredictable international environment for decades. To adapt, defence readiness must begin long before assets reach the front line, forging a resilient support enterprise that can thrive in a time of ongoing disruption, argue the partners of Team ORION.
-
![“Communicating at mission speed”: why data security is essential for operational success]()
“Communicating at mission speed”: why data security is essential for operational success
In conversation… Everfox’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dave Wajsgras and Managing Director, International, Colin McKinty discuss the critical importance of information security in defence, minimising insider risk and the company’s international growth strategy with Shephard’s Andrew White.
-
![“Engage with the operational problem”: how software innovation can boost UK defence]()
“Engage with the operational problem”: how software innovation can boost UK defence
In Conversation… Shephard’s Andrew White talks to Zafer Şen, CEO and co-founder of OBSS, about the future of command-and-control software in the age of artificial intelligence, and his company’s ambitions in the UK defence market.
