Defense & Aerospace

Military, Defense, Aerospace and Homeland Security

Rapid Designs is making state-of-the-art achievements in the application of free-form fabrication technology for the defense, aerospace and homeland security industries. Integration of advanced laser sintering, in conjunction with Rapid Designs ongoing developing suite of proprietary engineered Rapid Manufacturing Solutions(eRMS™) and eDFR™ (engineered Design for Rapid) design solutions is enabling manufacturing innovation for the defense and aerospace industries.

Advancements in free-form design techniques, new developments in sintering materials, coatings and processing techniques have provided innovative rapid manufacturing solutions of high-durability parts for air, ground and undersea applications. These discoveries are providing the foundation for rapid growth as a leading supplier in the defense and aerospace sector.

Reflecting its stature in the defense industry, Rapid Designs was honored by Raytheon, Inc. as one of only eight companies to receive Raytheon’s coveted Supplier Excellence Awards in 2006 for outstanding performance and again in 2007. By living Raytheon’s “No Doubt™” philosophy we are achieving unparalleled rapid manufacturing solutions to the benefit of our customers.

Raytheon cited Rapid Designs for extraordinary performance in on-demand digital rapid manufacturing of key components in the AQS-20A advanced minehunting sonar system. The system incorporates five separate sonar systems in a compact, lightweight and hydro-dynamically stable vehicle that can be towed from a helicopter or deployed with a UUG (unmanned undersea vehicle). Raytheon produces this critically-important advanced technology system for the U.S. Navy. See news release for full details.

By applying its suite of engineered Rapid Manufacturing Solutions(eRMS™) Rapid Designs successfully applied out-of-the-box thinking in laser sintering to several key components used on a MAV (micro air vehicle) for its customer. These components were originally designed for carbon fiber fabrication. After successfully achieving part aeronautical requirements the LS parts were tested in flight and approved for production. Another rapid manufacturing success story!

Based on advances in systems capability and Rapid Designs applications expertise, rapid digital technology is proving to be a cost effective manufacturing solution. Countless savings in time and dollars, continuousl improvement and creative application solutions have given rise to a new manufacturing paradigm for the defense and aerospace industry.

Rapid Designs is extensively involved in several leading-edge defense systems programs with leading military contractors. We have established ourselves as high-reliability supplier of rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing direct from digital input. Rapid manufacturing is an emerging technology that eliminates the time and expense of tooling for specialized and low volume parts.

Other major customers in the defense and aerospace sector continue to include AAI Corporation, B.A.E. Systems, Boeing, Brunswick, DRS, Goodrich, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Sikorsky Aircraft, Tyco Electronics, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Contact Rapid Designs

To inquire about additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping for aerospace and defense applications, or request a quotation, please contact Rapid Designs.