British Royal Navy
3D Printed Aircraft
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3D Printed Aircraft
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Engineers at University of Southampton in the UK have designed and 3D printed the world’s first 3D printed aircraft called SULSA (Southampton University Laser Sintered Aircraft). All parts of the aircraft except an electric motor are 3D printed. In July 2015, HMS Mersey, a vessel of the British Royal Navy launched the 3D printed aircraft as an exercise. The 3D printed aircraft weighs 3 kgs and has a wingspan of 1.5 meters. The aircraft is printed in four parts and can be assembled easily. The aircraft carried a video camera to record its flight. SULSA can be 3D printed for a cost of few thousand dollars. SULSA demonstrates the ability to quickly 3D print aircrafts on and use them for short missions.
Southampton University News: Southampton engineers test fly printed aircraft off Royal Navy ship
Popular Science Article: UK Engineers Print and Fly the World’s First Working 3-D Printed Aircraft
