Jet Powered, 3D Printed UAV

[sferrin]

This is more about the design there at 1:04

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hphM6fplcXo

Any ideas? ???

 

[AeroFranz]

The bottom picture is for an older subscale demonstrator for Raytheon called 'Ship-nine' whose purpose was to demonstrate yaw vectoring, with an airframe compatiblle with LO - timeframe mid to late nineties. It had two JetCats inside. It flew, demonstrated program goals and was retired.

 

[sferrin]

Thanks! Had never heard of it or seen it before.

 

[Reaper]

Nice project! The great advantage is that you can totally separate the design and manufacturing over a big distance, do a lot of interations over a shorter time and the greater freedom in designing the parts.

 

[AeroFranz]

Some of the rough estimates is that the weight (with current materials) is over 25% higher with 3D printing. However there is a HUGE reduction in cost and lead time with respect to composites parts. There are some nice touches like being able to design brackets right into the part. Right now it looks like the use of 3D printed parts is very much application dependent, and on a case-by-case basis. It just keeps getting better though, so it's becoming more and more convenient to go that route.