European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced that it has developed an almost entirely 3D printed Unmanned Test Aircraft. The 3D printed UAV is named Thor, which is an acronym for Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality.
The unmanned aircraft was first tested in November 2015, taking flight for 40 km from Hamburg to Airbus’ plant in Stade, Germany. Following the successful testing, Airbus has scheduled 18 test missions for its 3D printed UAV throughout 2016. The entire unmanned aircraft is reported to weigh around 25kg, and has a length and a wingspan of approximately four metres.
Peter Sander, head of emerging technologies & concepts at Airbus in Hamburg, Germany, shared with the press at Innovation Days 2016 that Airbus had designed, built, and tested an entirely 3D printed unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV).
According to Sander, the aircraft will serve as a test platform for high risk and aerodynamic investigations, which will be used to further prove the viability the concept of a 3D printed UAV. Thor is comprised of around fifty 3D printed parts, two electric motors, and a remote control, making the aircraft almost fully 3D printed.
As Airbus continues to test and refine the aircraft, they are able to reprint and replace parts in a matter of days and weeks as opposed to a conventional manufacturing process, which would take months.
“You can [3D] print this kind of aircraft in four weeks,” Sander reportedly stated in his presentation to the media. “It has low lead times for fast track developments.”
The initiative is being worked on across the different Airbus company sectors, such as Airbus Defense & Space and Airbus Helicopters. The production cost of Thor is estimated at about 20,000 euros.
The 3D printed UAV will be exhibited at the ILA Berlin Air Show, which is taking place at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport.
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