{"id":14103,"date":"2018-04-25T15:55:13","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T15:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/25\/marines-3-d-print-replacement-parts-for-f-35-unmanned-ground-vehicle\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:00:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:00:54","slug":"marines-3-d-print-replacement-parts-for-f-35-unmanned-ground-vehicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/industry\/techwatch\/2018\/04\/25\/marines-3-d-print-replacement-parts-for-f-35-unmanned-ground-vehicle\/","title":{"rendered":"Marines 3-D print replacement parts for F-35, unmanned ground vehicle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2015 A U.S. Marine Corps pilot has successfully flown an F-35B Lightning II with a 3-D printed part. The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 used 3-D printing<\/a> to replace a worn bumper on the landing gear of the fighter jet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine Corps Sgt Adrian Willis, deployed with Combat Logistic Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expedition Unit, used the 3-D printer as part of a process otherwise known as additive manufacturing. Without a 3-D printing capability<\/a>, the entire door assembly would have needed to be replaced, a more expensive and more time-consuming repair. Rather than waiting weeks for a replacement the bumper was printed, approved and installed within a few days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The repair demonstrates the value that additive manufacturing technology brings to forward-deployed units. \u201cI think 3-D printing is definitely the future \u2015 it\u2019s absolutely the direction the Marine Corps needs to be going,\u201d Willis said.
<\/p>\n\n\n\t