Breaking Defense reported that for the first time, the US Defense Department has certified as “airworthy a 3D printed aircraft engine part – an F110 sump cover produced under the Air Force’s collaborative initiative with General Electric called Pacer Edge.” While the F110 “sump cover is a small part, it is nonetheless important to how the engine – used by both the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets – functions.” The part’s “air worthiness certification moves the Air Force closer to its goal of expanding the use of 3D printing to boost aircraft readiness. Air Force leaders see additive manufacturing as key to resolving the service’s serious problems in maintaining aging aircraft and infrastructure and lowering costs.” The next step in the Pacer Edge program “will see a metal parts additive manufacturing supply chain established at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, starting with a buy of two GE printers in fiscal 2022.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Tag: F-16
Lockheed Martin Adds More than 300 New Jobs for F-16 Program
ExecutiveGov reported that Lockheed Martin “has announced the addition of over 300 new jobs in F-16 production and sustainment areas at the company’s location in Greenville, South Carolina by the end of next year.” Lockheed Martin “said Monday the company is seeking to fill positions including airframe and power plant mechanics, avionics technicians, engineers, supervisors, tool makers and quality inspectors, among other roles, in support of its F-16 program.”
Full Story (ExeutiveGov)
Northrop Grumman Wins Air Force Award to Provide Electronic Warfare System for F-16
Air Force Times reports that Northrop Grumman “announced an Air Force award to complete a project for the electronic warfare suite for the F-16 fighter jet.” The “goal of the prototyping is to protect pilots from increasing radio frequency-guided weapons by detecting, identifying and defeating them, a Jan. 11 announcement from Northrop said.” The company’s “system will provide radar warning and advanced countermeasure capabilities and will be compatible with Northrop’s AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) aboard F-16s.”
Full Story (Air Force Times)