Lockheed, Premium Aerotec Form Additive Printing Partnership for F-35 Aircraft

Lockheed Martin has partnered with Premium Aerotec to investigate which F-35 aircraft components can be produced through the use of 3D printing methods to decrease manufacturing costs.

Signed on June 18, the partnership agreement enables the two companies to optimize manufacturing methods for the F-35 as the aircraft reaches its full-rate production phase, Lockheed said Monday.

The F-35 is a multirole fighter aircraft designed to gather, analyze and disseminate data through the use of built-in sensors and avionics systems. It can also use its stealth and weaponized capabilities to engage aerial and ground-based targets.

“F-35 production includes the most advanced manufacturing techniques of any fighter jet in the world and partnering with companies like Premium AEROTEC, we will continue to integrate additional automation and additive manufacturing techniques that will ensure we’re always delivering on our cost, quality and efficiency goals,” said Greg Ulmer, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed.

Based in Germany, Premium AEROTEC manufactures complex and large-shaped aircraft components from titanium, CFRP and aluminum alloys.