RAF Tornado parts find new life on Tempest
In a first for the RAF, metal parts from retired Tornado aircraft are being ground down and 3D printed into parts for the next-generation Tempest fighter jet.
According to the RAF, the development could save taxpayer money, reduce the UK’s reliance on global supply chains of critical and high value metals, and produce components that are lighter, stronger, and longer lasting than those made through traditional forging techniques.
Surplus MoD assets contain strategic metals, including high quality steel, aluminium, and titanium, and the Tornado 2 Tempest project team have been identifying whether some of these components could be atomised into powders for additive manufacturing to make new parts.
Tornado parts containing titanium, including jet engine compressor blades from a low-pressure air compressor, were selected. They were cleaned, atomised and recycled into a 3D printed nose cone and compressor blades by Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS) for Orpheus, which is Rolls-Royce’s small engine concept that is part of the MoD’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme delivering Tempest.
The nose cone was fitted onto an Orpheus test engine and passed suitability and safety checks.
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