Lockheed Martin and Arconic to collaborate on Additive Manufacturing and advanced aerospace materials
July 23, 2018
An additively manufactured, optimised aerospace bracket produced by Arconic (Courtesy Arconic)
Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and Arconic, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, have entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to develop customised lightweight material systems and advanced manufacturing processes, including metal Additive Manufacturing, for aerospace and defence structures and systems.
This agreement expands the longstanding relationship between Arconic and Lockheed Martin, which currently collaborate on advanced materials and manufacturing projects such as the development of process modelling, simulation tools and lightweight, corrosion resistant alloys. Arconic also supplies Lockheed Martin with a range of multi-material products for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft programme – from engine to airframe structures – as well as metal additively manufactured parts for service on NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
Rod Makoske, Lockheed Martin SVP of Corporate Engineering, Technology and Operations, stated, “At Lockheed Martin, we are relentlessly finding ways to develop materials that create state-of-the-art advanced capabilities, reduce waste and generate efficiencies in manufacturing practices. Collaborating with Arconic will help us uncover new ideas for materials development where traditional practices aren’t suitable, investigate more sustainable material compositions and find ways to produce materials more effectively.”
“We have a long history of innovative collaboration with Lockheed Martin across multiple platforms – from single-piece forged bulkheads for the F-35 to 3D printed parts for the Orion spacecraft,” added Ray Kilmer, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Arconic, “and we are pleased to expand on that relationship with this new agreement. Lockheed is always innovating, and it is a privilege to apply our materials and manufacturing expertise to help them deliver their next generation of cutting-edge products.”
