USAF Installs 3D Printed Drag Reducers on C-17, Helping to Save Over $14M Annually

Drag reduction is a priority for airplanes as it helps to reduce fuel consumption, increase operational range and increase the speed of the craft. Now it seems that additive manufacturing could play a role. The Air Force Operational Energy and Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force (USAF) are entering the final phase of evaluation for the use of 3D printed microvane drag reduction technology on the C-17 Globemaster III.

The C-17 Globemaster III is a cargo aircraft that entered into USAF use in 1995. Although the last C-17 was made in 2015, these aircraft continue to be important for the Air Force. However, the USAF continues to work to optimize the C-17 fleet, which are critical for troop transportation. This is where the microvanes come in.

A C-17 Globemaster III with micorvanes successfully installed waiting on the flight line at Steward Air National Guard Base

3D Printed Microvanes to Reduce Drag

So what are they? The 3D printed devices measure about 4 x 16 inches and resemble a thin blade. About a dozen are then attached to the rear of the C-17’s exterior using a strong adhesive bonding. The project has been under works for some time, in a collaboration between the Air Force Research Laboratory, private industry and the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center.