BAE Systems uses 3D printed part for jet fighter

The 3D metal camera bracket was successfully flown from the company's airfield at Warton in Lancashire. The company also has engineers designing and producing 3D printed functional components at RAF Marham to support the aircraft when it is being maintained on the ground. The parts are made from a plastic material and include protective covers for Tornado cockpit radios, support struts on the air intake door and protective guards for power take-off shafts. BAE Systems said the use of these parts would cut the cost of repairs, maintenance and service to the Royal Air Force by more than £1.2 million over the next four years. "With some parts costing less than £100 per piece to manufacture, 3D printing has already resulted in savings of more than £300,000 and will offer further potential cost savings of more than £1.2 million between now and 2017," it added. Mike Murray, head of airframe integration at Warton, said: "You are suddenly not fixed in terms of where you have to manufacture these things. You can manufacture the products and whatever base you want, providing you can get a machine there, which means you can also start to support other platforms such as ships and aircraft carriers. "And if it's feasible to get machines out on the front line, it also gives improved capability where we wouldn't traditionally have any manufacturing support."