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.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
-
![UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?]()
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
