Lockheed Martin Uses 3D Printed Components in Test Flights

[Brian_Krassenstein]

This week Lockheed Martin used a 3D printed component in a test flight for the new, high tech upgrade to the US Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program. The Navy successfully test launched three Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles made by the Bethesda, Maryland-based company. The one-inch wide aluminum alloy connector backshell component protects vital cable connectors in the missile. The backshell component was designed and fabricated entirely using 3D design and 3D printing, a process that allowed Lockheed Martin engineers to produce the part in half the time it would take traditional methods. You can find out more over on 3DPrint.com: http://3dprint.com/125470/navy-trident-missile-launch/

[dkern]

Great post. thanks for the info. 3D printing is not normally though of as "quicker" than traditional manufacturing methods. Can you explain why it was twice as fast in this case? Also, what caused Lockheed Martin to consider 3D printing this connector backshell in the first place?