Page 31 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 Online Magazine

tural integrity and functionality but can also
provide innovative solutions and cost-effective
outcomes, in the areas of geometry restoration
and corrosion protection.

At last year’s Farnborough Airshow, held in the
United Kingdom, Singapore’s Defence Science
and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Rolls-
Royce inked a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to partner on digital service solutions.
“Rolls-Royce supports an extensive and diverse
fleet of aircraft, which provides a data source to
dive deeper and generate insights on aircraft
engine performance for defence. Partnering
Rolls-Royce to co-develop data-driven digital
solutions will boost DSTA’s efforts in enhanc-
ing the efficiency of aircraft maintenance and
operations,” said DSTA Chief Executive Tan
Peng Yam. The two companies will focus on the
use of data analytics and digital twins aimed 3D SuperGalaxy heavy lifter was the latest recipient of printed
at optimising the time and resources spent on hardware and after several weeks of printing, inspections, and
engine maintenance, with the goal of improving component testing, the Rapid Sustainment Office recently installed
the availability and performance of Republic 17 parts in both polymer and metal on the aircraft in less than
of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft. These three days. “It is innovative ideas such as these that continue to
new capabilities will potentially transform drive down sustainment costs, leading to improved weapon system
engine support and maintenance training. readiness,” said Eddie Preston, a senior materials engineer for the
RSO. “If you can imagine sitting on a commercial aircraft, everything
“ROLLS-ROYCE SUPPORTS AN around you including parts of the seat you are sitting in, we can
print.” Preston estimates that future field production of these 17
EXTENSIVE AND DIVERSE FLEET parts alone, could save tens of thousands of dollars, while improv-
OF AIRCRAFT, WHICH PROVIDES ing part performance and continuing to improve weapon system
A DATA SOURCE TO DIVE DEEPER readiness. In the near future, the C-5 Programme Office and RSO
AND GENERATE INSIGHTS ON teams will install more than 20 more additional polymer and metal
printed components on the aircraft, made from titanium and other
AIRCRAFT ENGINE PERFORMANCE high strength alloys, driving this technology to the next level.
FOR DEFENCE. PARTNERING
ROLLS-ROYCE TO CO-DEVELOP Many of the parts that were replaced on the aircraft are now
DATA-DRIVEN DIGITAL SOLUTIONS not available for immediate purchase or require long lead times.
Additive manufacturing makes a dramatic difference here as now
WILL BOOST DSTA’S EFFORTS IN parts can be made available in only a few days as compared to
ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY OF the weeks, months or even years it usually took acquire parts
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND through current procurement methods. A variety of parts made

OPERATIONS”
DSTA Chief Executive Tan Peng Yam.

3D Printing Comes of Age
Next generation of manufacturing technologies,
such as 3D printing or additive manufacturing
could potentially have a disruptive effect on the
MRO industry as it could allow military users to
generate their own spares and hence cut down
on large stocks of spares for military equipment
and revolutionise inventory management . The
ability to quickly manufacture a replacement
part, could also significantly improve aircraft
availability, especially if a flight critical part
needs to be replaced in short order.
The USAF recently announced that a C-5

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