U.S. Air Force installs 3D printed parts on C-5 Super Galaxy to reduce sustainment costs

A C-5 Super Galaxy with tail number 70035 is the latest beneficiary of additive manufacturing technologies. In fact, at the Dover Air Base in Delaware, the large military aircraft has been upgraded with 3D printed metal and plastic parts. The aim is to reduce sustainment costs by integrating the 3D technology on the aircraft.

After several weeks of printing, 17 parts in both polymer and metal were installed in less than three days. Eddie Preston, a senior materials engineer for the Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) declared, “It is innovative ideas such as these that continue to drive down sustainment costs, leading to improved weapon system readiness. If you can imagine sitting on a commercial aircraft, everything around you including parts of the seat you are sitting in, we can print.”

The C-5 Galaxy Aircraft

The RSO worked with innovative engineers at the C-5 Program Office, Air Mobility Command and the 436t Airlift Wing (which operates the aircraft). The 3D printed parts included cabin components, crew bunk areas of the plane, including overhead panels, reading and emergency light covers, window reveals, gasper panels and aluminium seal retention handles.