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3D printing to cut the RAF’s maintenance and service bill

BAE systems have revealed that RAF Tornado fighter jets have flown with parts made using 3D printing technology for the first time last month. The metal components were used in test flights from the firm’s airfield in Lancashire. This included protective covers for cockpit radios and guards for power take-off shafts.

It is hoped the technology could cut the RAF’s maintenance and service bill over the next four years by over £1.2m due to the fact that you are not fixed in terms of where the parts can be manufactured.

Mike Murray, head of airframe integration at BAE Systems, has commented that if it is feasible to get machines out on the front line, this would give improved capability where there wouldn’t normally be any manufacturing support.

As we wrote about in September, US space agency Nasa announced that it is planning to launch a 3D printer into space in 2014 for the first time to help astronauts manufacture spare parts and tools in zero gravity. It is thought that this could also help reduce the costs of future missions.

Which leads us to question, what next?