Following the news that BAE Systems has unveiled 3D-printed aircraft components at Farnborough International Airshow 2022;

Harry Boneham, Aerospace Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“The application of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) techniques, also known as 3D printing, within the development of the Tempest demonstrator reveals an ambition on the part of Team Tempest to apply novel industrial techniques to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of the eventual production process for the sixth-generation fighter. The potential of WAAM has been enhanced significantly in recent years due to the addition of digitalized design techniques such as computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

“Not only will WAAM techniques allow aircraft part producers flexibility when it comes to upgrades and redesigns, but it will slash lead times—reportedly from around two years, using current techniques, to around 100 days with 3D printing. Additionally, 3D-printed parts can, to a certain extent, be produced on demand—especially when compared to forged parts. This will greatly benefit producers, as they will no longer need to tie up large amounts of capital in large batch orders and hold deep parts inventories.”