Babcock International Group has introduced its first 3D-printed metal parts for the British Army’s Titan and Trojan fleets.
It is the first time that a UK defense supplier has produced metal-based 3D prints to extend the operability of the service’s armored vehicles.
According to Babcock, the materials form part of the fleets’ periscope system, which enables the Titan and Trojan operators to have complete visibility of the surrounding environment.
Additive Military Manufacturing
The 3D layered printing design process addresses the “growing challenges of technical and commercial obsolescence” across the military.
“This investment in technology allows us to support our customers in a completely different way, at home and deployed on operations. If a component is required and cannot be sourced, we can now find a way to make it,” Babcock Land Chief Executive Tom Newman explained.
“As we look to the future of Equipment Support, Additive Manufacturing has significant implications for our customers, and I am delighted Babcock is leading the way in developing this capability.”
‘Battle-Winning’ Technology
Additive manufacturing can assist forces in obtaining required parts rapidly while on the move, even aboard vessels at sea or military installations abroad.
“Additive has disrupted industry manufacturing processes and created an agile alternative to traditional mass manufacture. Working together with Babcock we have unlocked a pathway to manufacture certified parts,” British Army Equipment Assistant Chief of Staff Brig. Phil Prosser stated.
“This ability to rapidly manufacture parts will allow our equipment to rapidly deploy on operations, and to stay in the fight for longer. This is a battle winning activity and we are committed to this collaboration and will continue to learn at this impressive pace.”
Babcock’s 3D Printing Site
In February 2022, Babcock and Plymouth Science Park launched a facility dedicated to additive manufacturing innovations.
“We won’t stop here. We are now working towards a future where the additive techniques and processes we are putting into place now will be readily available across any part of the MOD we support.” Babcock Chief Technology Officer Dr. Richard Drake said.