Pratt & Whitney and GKN Aerospace to Test 3D-Printed Engine Case for F-35 by 2028
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- InterestingEngineering.com
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney has partnered with GKN Aerospace to develop a large additively manufactured structural component for the F135 fighter engine. The collaboration aims to certify this component by the end of 2028, following the production of a full-scale demonstrator in 2027.
This initiative is significant as it represents a move towards integrating industrial-scale 3D printing into military propulsion systems. The focus is on creating a structural engine case that meets the performance standards of traditionally manufactured parts, which is crucial for the F-35 Lightning II's operational capabilities.
Looking ahead, the project will provide valuable data on manufacturing quality and certification requirements, potentially transforming how larger structural components are produced in aerospace. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Original report
F-35 fighter jet engine to test first full-scale 3D-printed metal case by 2028
InterestingEngineering.com · Aamir KhollamThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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