Industry
Certification
Positive
FRCE Delivers First Flight-Certified Metal 3D-Printed Part Within 6 Months
2026-04-30
·
Impact score: 64
The U.S. East Coast Fleet Readiness Center (FRCE) has produced its first flight-certified metal part via additive manufacturing, now deployed on active military aircraft. Three platforms benefit: an AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter weapon pylon adapter, a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor main landing gear repair fitting, and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft cover plate. These non-flight-critical components underwent the same safety and quality verification as traditionally manufactured parts. The entire certification, production, and qualification cycle was completed within six months—a record for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). FRCE collaborated with the NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing Team and Fleet Support Team, with the Advanced Technologies and Innovation Team leading technical development. This initiative insources part production, significantly reducing downtime and improving readiness rates. Future plans include adopting stainless steel for higher strength and durability, enabling flight-critical component manufacturing and advancing on-demand full-spectrum part supply capabilities—a milestone for scaling metal 3D printing in military aviation maintenance.
📰 News Source
This article was translated from a Chinese source.
Source URL not available
Show Chinese original
6个月内获认证 FRCE交付首件飞行认证金属3D打印件
美国东海岸舰队战备中心（FRCE）首次通过增材制造生产出飞行认证的金属零件，并已实际部署于现役军机。三个平台受益：AH-1Z“蝰蛇”武装直升机的武器挂架接头、V-22“鱼鹰”倾转旋翼机主起落架修理接头，以及C-130“大力神”运输机的盖板。这些非飞行关键部件经过与传统生产线相同的安全与质量验证。整个认证、生产和取证周期在六个月内完成，创下海军航空系统司令部（NAVAIR）内最快纪录。FRCE与NAVAIR增材制造团队及舰队保障团队合作，由先进技术与创新团队主导技术开发。此举将零件生产内包，显著缩短停机时间并提升战备率。未来FRCE计划引入不锈钢材料，其更高强度与耐久性将拓展至飞行关键部件的制造，推动按需全谱系零件供应能力，对金属3D打印在军事航空维修领域的规模化应用具有里程碑意义。