Additive Manufacturing In Aerospace: Strategic Implications

Aerospace manufacturers have used Additive Fabrication Systems since ’80s. But in the past few years, rapid advancements in Additive Fabrication Technology have led applications of the technology in the aerospace industry to proliferate.

Additive Manufacturing formerly occupied a niche role in aerospace manufacturing as a technology for prototyping. As recent developments suggest, however, Additive Technology is rapidly becoming a strategic technology that will generate revenues throughout the aerospace supply chain.

Firms that are already committed to shifting the strategic dynamics of Additive Manufacturing in Space and Defense Markets include: Airbus, Boeing, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, and Pratt & Whitney.

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Additive Manufacturing and obsolescence management

With a view to raising awareness on the issue of obsolescence management in the defence sector and on the role that Additive Manufacturing (AM) plays today and could play tomorrow, this RAND Perspective Paper includes four contributions from experts in different sectors, bringing different analytical approaches to and perspectives on the issue.

1. The first paper, from ArmaSuisse, provides an overview of the Swiss military context and the opportunities and challenges that AM could represent.
2. The second paper, from RAND Europe, illustrates the concept of obsolescence management in the defence sector and introduces the potential game changer role that AM could play in this field.
3. The third paper, by the US Army, provides an insight into current use and future developments of AM from a more practical perspective.
4. Finally, the last paper, from Cranfield University, elaborates on the costs of obsolescence and on the role that AM could have in obsolescence management in the future.

You can download them through the following link:

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/perspectives/PE100/PE171/RAND_PE171.pdf

Revenues from AM will grow up in UAV industry

SmarTech Markets Publishing has released its new study "Additive Manufacturing in Space and Defense Aerospace Markets".

The report explores the entire value chain of Additive Manufacturing in space/defense aerospace markets, providing analysis of its benefits in the manufacture of space vehicles, satellites, military aircraft, missile systems, and, of course, UAVs. After an initial reading, we would like to share up with you some key facts and figures that we have found:

Figures:

Additive Manufacturing comprehensive revenues (including hardware, software, materials and services) for defense aerospace and space companies will reach around $140 million in 2016, rising to $600 million in 2022. Service revenues will exceed $325 million by 2022, and material revenues by the space and defense aerospace will reach $120 million by 2022.

Materials:

• Polymers will have a growing presence in some areas of space/defense aerospace, but there is also a high degree of potential metal component demand for very large structural components associated with space vehicles, satellites, and some military aircraft.

• Soon both plastic and metal systems will prove to be ideal technologies for replacement parts in aging military aircraft.

• There is a high degree of potential metal component demand for very large structural components associated with space vehicles, satellites, and some military aircraft.

Services:

• There is a growing need for Additive Manufacturing specialists with know-how in space and defense applications.

• Use of additive manufacturing in space and defense aerospace is still in the development phase, favoring the use of service providers to print low-volume parts.