NAVAIR Reveals 3D Printing Plans

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to produce and utilize a flight-critical component in an aircraft within the next three years. Certain Navy craft have already utilized plastic or polymer components created via 3D printing, but the use of metal additive manufacturing for critical parts will be a first for in-flight use for US Sailors and Marines. Future applications of 3D printing in the Navy include on-board 3D printing of parts, and even bioprinting for injured personnel and perhaps production of live ammunition and explosives, according to NAVAIR's additive manufacturing integrated product team lead Liz McMichael. The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Ray Mabus, also spoke to 3D printing's use in the Navy at the Sea-Air-Space conference held this week. With broad implications and uses, the Navy and NAVAIR will certainly be seeing and testing more and more in the additive manufacturing arena. Read more in the full article: http://3dprint.com/58698/navair-additive-manufacturing/


Below is a photo of SECNAV Ray Mabus speaking at Sea-Air-Space on April 15:

[DuncanWilliamGibbons]

Has there been any updates on this?