Future TF-X fighter jet to be built with 3D-printed parts

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) purchased the world’s largest electron beam metal 3D printer, the EBAM 300 series from Sciaky, Inc. to print parts for its future TF-X fifth-generation domestic fighter jet.

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Sciaky, Inc. a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Inc. and a leading provider of industrial metal 3D printing solutions, announced on January 25 that it will deliver to TAI the world’s largest electron beam directed energy deposition (DED) 3D printer, a customized 300 series electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) system. The contract between TAI and Sciaky also includes collaboration on a series of projects aimed at optimizing TAI’s use of the EBAM machine and its technology.

The EBAM machine will be destined for TAI’s plant in Ankara, Turkey, where it will 3D print some of the largest titanium aerostructures in the industry. The machine will be able to print structures up to 6 meters long by 2 meters wide and 1.8 meters high, with deposition rates will exceed 20 kg of metal per hour.

In addition to the impressive technical specifications, this unique 3D printer can quickly switch to an electron beam welder (EBW) for large-scale welding applications. TAI will also have the advantage of combining electron beam welding and 3D printing functions for applications requiring both technologies.

The new machine was purchased in particular to print parts of the structure of the National Combat Aircraft (MMU), also known as TF-X. This will be a 5th generation, low radar observability aircraft designed by Turkish industry to replace the Air Force’s F-16s from 2030.

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The TF-X aircraft will be a multi-role combat aircraft, designed primarily for air-to-air roles, but also capable of performing air-to-surface missions. In twin-engine configuration, the future MMU will have supercruise capability and will carry its armament in an internal weapons bay.