3D printed parts flown in military jet
A Tornado fighter jet fitted with 3D printed parts has been flown for the first time.
Defence giant BAE Systems announced yesterday that the jet had completed its first test flight in Warton, Lancashire, late last month.
The parts include protective covers for cockpit radios and guards for power take-off shafts.
The process is expected to cut the RAF's maintenance and service bill by more than £1.2million over the next four years.
Mike Murray, head of airframe integration at BAE, said: "You are suddenly not fixed in terms of where you have to manufacture these things. You can manufacture the products at 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."
