Quick Summary
• Navy Depot Delivers First Metal 3D Printed Aircraft Parts to Fleet April 28
Additional Context
Fleet Readiness Center East has delivered its first flight-certified metal 3D-printed parts to the U.S. Navy fleet, completing the qualification, production, and certification process in under six months — what the depot’s team lead says is the fastest such effort in Naval Air Systems Command history.
The three parts delivered in 2025 are a weapons pylon fitting for the AH-1Z Viper helicopter, a main landing gear repair fitting for the V-22 Osprey, and a blanking plate for the C-130 Hercules. FRCE delivered the pylon fitting to the H-1 Fleet Support Team first, in early 2025, with the remaining two following later in the year. The depot also used the equipment to produce specialized tooling for its own maintainers.
The process uses high-powered lasers to weld thin layers of aluminum powd