MARCH 2025AEROSPACEDEFENSEREVIEW.COM19right parts and when compared to traditional manufacturing methods. And overall, the use of AM quality control can be greatly simplified with new techniques such as digital radiography and Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) which can eliminate the need for costly computed tomography (CT) scanning. But additional strategic factors must not be overlooked as AM is adopted across the industry:· Reducing Inefficiency in Logistics: To combat logistical inefficiency and improve accountability of spare parts, AM capabilities create a game-changing opportunity. Multiple U.S. and U.K. service branches have piloted on-board AM or hybrid capabilities for real-time spares production. It's an effort that can improve safety as well as quality; an airline or military unit lacking AM logistic support, for example, is vulnerable to potential adversaries employing on-board capability to print common spares on-demand, repair complex ones using Directed Energy methods, or upgrade on the fly in-theater. In effect, organizations that adopt AM will operate at much higher levels of availability by simplifying logistics by printing spares, improved capabilities for repairs, and real-time system innovation.· Enabling Agility for Greater Mission Readiness: Lockheed Martin is investing in additive manufacturing technology today because we understand that we must adapt to meet our customers' current and future needs as they confront increasingly complex challenges. However, much-needed design changes that can address those needs can take years to implement under our current acquisition process. AM capabilities enable real-time response to updated intelligence, allowing stakeholders to more quickly evolve geometry, manage heat, incorporate RF signature, and incorporate new and advanced materials. A recent study on Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing showed that material properties can be far superior to traditional methods. These systems are being onboarded in-theatre, letting service members upgrade equipment with stronger and more detailed parts when new ideas come up or new intel comes in-- even during deployment. Time is not on the side of the competitor relying on traditional manufacturing, who could unintentionally be giving a potential opponent much more time to analyze and adapt.· Design ScalabilityLockheed Martin excels at rapid prototyping and flight production, producing thousands of flight parts every year. But if we design with additive manufacturing in mind from the beginning, we've learned it is even easier to reap the benefits. Early AM optimization from the start of a product's lifecycle can gain the most efficiency during redesign. · Strengthening the Supply Chain While near-peers are investing heavily in developing AM capability, we must follow suit to maintain the high ground. Recent efforts such as the Biden Administration's "AM Forward" initiative to work with commercial companies to improve competitiveness and supply chain effectiveness shine a light on the need to not just grow industries, but overcome the challenges that hold AM back across those industries. Last year, Lockheed Martin joined this initiative and has established goals for U.S.-based suppliers to increase their ability to additively produce parts. The company has invested more than $55M since 2018 in several AM and advanced manufacturing startups to drive innovation. AM capability sharpens the engineering edge in ways that can't be copied by potential adversaries or competitors, assuring truly unique technology can be produced-- in many cases at record time. Additional domestic AM capability and implementation can create valuable jobs and resiliency in the supply chain, gains that will be relied upon for the next era. Engineering a Bright FutureAM is a leading-edge production technology that has been 30+ years in the making, and now is the time to build the AM base in the Aerospace and Defense industry. We cannot let barriers to adoption allow potential adversaries to gain further strategic advantage through logistics, agility, and supply chain resiliency. The ROI of additive manufacturing on simply a piece part basis is compelling, and risks are well understood and manageable. But Lockheed Martin recognizes that 21st century security requires 21st century production methods, including AM. The risk is too great for the A&D industry to fail to invest, adopt, and optimize this disruptive capability. ONE SHOULDN'T TRY TO USE AM FOR EVERYTHING, IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN UTILIZED EFFECTIVELY FOR TOP-PRIORITY MISSIONS
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