- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Air Force Will Start Using 3-D Printed Parts in Satellites

CC0 / / Satellite. (File)
Satellite. (File) - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The US Air Force will begin using 3-D printed parts for their satellites, including the advanced AEHF-6, a high frequency communications satellite set to launch in two years.

Defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin will be producing the parts. In a company release, Lockheed announced, "a Remote Interface Unit, an aluminum electronic enclosure designed to hold avionic circuits, will be the first 3-D printed part certified for use on a Lockheed Martin military satellite." 

An Atlas V rocket launches the Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) 2 satellite from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Sputnik International
Space Warfare: 'US Has Already Taken Out Satellite With Missile'

The change will speed up manufacturing and assembly, according to Lockheed. "The lead time for manufacturing the part went from six months to only 1.5 months, with assembly time also being reduced from 12 hours to just three hours," the company said.

Using a process called Laser Powder Bed Fusion additive manufacturing, the 3-D printed part is made based on a digital design. A laser is used to melt and fuse layers of aluminum metal powder to form the part. 

An artist's concept of a ground / space-based hybrid laser weapon, 1984 - Sputnik International
Why US Missile Defense May Trigger Development of 'Satellite Killers' in Russia

Iris Bombelyn, vice president of Lockheed’s Protected Communications, said in an early April release that "3-D printing provides the ability to rapidly implement innovation by controlling production from design through implementation with one digital model … By providing affordable, innovative solutions for our customers with a reduced timeline, we are able to adjust to the rapidly changing environment of military space."

According to the company, using one 3-D printed part instead of multiple machined parts not only saves time on production and design, but increases the consistency and quality of the unit.

AEHF satellites are used to provide protected communication for tactical warfighters and strategic commanders. The global military satellite communications system will be delivered by Lockheed in 2017. The AEHF 5 and AEHF 6 are currently in production, with the AEHF 5 expected to launch in 2018 and the AEHF 6 in 2019.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала