FRCE Just 3D Printed Its First Flight-Certified Metal Parts and Put Them on Active Aircraft

• North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has delivered first flight-certified, non-flight-critical metal parts, produced in-house via additive manufacturing, improving downtime and readiness.  Three platforms have already benefited: the weapons pylon fitting for the AH-1Z Viper, the repair fitting for the main landing gear on the V-22…

North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has delivered first flight-certified, non-flight-critical metal parts, produced in-house via additive manufacturing, improving downtime and readiness. Three platforms have already benefited: the weapons pylon fitting for the AH-1Z Viper, the repair fitting for the main landing gear on the V-22 Osprey, and a blanking plate for the C-130 Hercules, each receiving components that went through the same safety and quality validation as anything coming off a conventional production line. The effort was carried out in partnership with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing Team and Fleet Support Teams, with FRCE’s Advanced Technology and Innovation Team