The old-school engine that powers the B-52 gets a 3D-printed upgrade
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., - The U.S. Air Force has 3D-printed its first metal part for a jet engine. The replacement part, made for the engine that powers the B-52 Stratofortress bomber, will keep the plane flying until new engines are fitted to the aging jets in the late 2020s, Kyle Mizokami reports for Popular Mechanics. Continue reading original article.
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
August 12, 2020 -Air Force engineers used additive manufacturing to replace an anti-icing gasket on the B-52's Pratt & Whitney TF33-P103 turbofan after the supply chain for the decades-old design ran out of OEM parts. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the USAF has printed 30 parts so far, but many more are needed.
Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
