• QinetiQ completes world‑first flight test of 3D‑printed titanium hinge on Agusta A109S helicopter. • Component made from recycled titanium sourced from decommissioned aircraft, processed by AMS Ltd. • Recycling process achieves 97% material efficiency and cuts CO₂ emissions by 93.5% versus conventional supply chain. • Hinge part of Air Data Boom assembly, critical for flight data accuracy. • Flight conducted at MOD Boscombe Down, supporting Empire Test Pilots’ School training program. • AMS claims systematic recycling could grant UK self‑sufficiency in aerospace‑grade titanium. • No details on additive process type, post‑processing, or certification pathway disclosed. • Milestone highlights sustainability and domestic supply chain resilience for UK aerospace sector.
Article Summaries:
- QinetiQ’s Flight Test Organisation flew an Agusta A109S helicopter fitted with a 3‑D‑printed hinge made from recycled titanium, marking the first operational test of a structural part produced from scrap aircraft material. The component, manufactured by West Lancashire‑based AMS Ltd, used titanium recovered from a decommissioned aircraft and processed into powder with a proprietary recycling method that claims 97 % material efficiency and a 93.5 % reduction in CO₂e compared with conventional supply chains. The flight, conducted at MOD Boscombe Down, validates the use of recycled titanium in aerospace structures and supports the UK’s goal of reducing dependence on imported titanium.
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