R&D initiative includes Aubert & Duval, Airbus, Saint Exupéry Institute for Research in Technology, French National School of Engineering.

Sciaky Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries Inc. (PSI) and metal additive manufacturing (AM) solutions provider, has entered a research and development (R&D) initiative with Aubert & Duval, Airbus, and the Saint Exupéry Institute for Research in Technology (IRT). The Production Engineering laboratory of the National School of Engineering in Tarbes, France, will serve as an academic partner for this project, also known as the Metallic Advanced Materials for Aeronautics (MAMA) project.

The goal is to couple traditional metallurgy – high-power closed die forging – with emerging wire-fed metal 3D printing techniques, in this case, Sciaky’s Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) process, to develop new processes for manufacturing titanium alloy aircraft parts. In this first phase, the project has a global funding of $4.8 million, of which 50% are supported by the French State as part of the “Investing in the Future” program (Programme Investissement d’Avenir, or PIA), the other 50% being funded by its industrial partners.

“Sciaky is proud to work with the Saint Exupéry IRT, Aubert & Duval, and Airbus on this exciting project,” said Scott Phillips, president and CEO of Sciaky Inc. “Industrial metal additive manufacturing technology continues to break new ground every day, and Sciaky is committed to keeping EBAM at the forefront of this movement.”

Sciaky’s EBAM systems can produce parts ranging from 8" (203mm) to 19ft (5.79m) long. EBAM offers gross deposition rates up to 25 lb (11.34kg) of metal per hour. EBAM’s Interlayer Real-time Imaging and Sensing System (IRISS) can sense and digitally self-adjust metal deposition with precision and repeatability for consistent part geometry, mechanical properties, microstructure, and metal chemistry.

Joule Form process, which Spirit developed, is a proprietary method for forming titanium raw material at elevated temperatures.

Spirit AeroSystems is transitioning recent research breakthroughs from the laboratory to its factory. The Joule Form process, which Spirit developed, is a new proprietary method for forming titanium raw material at elevated temperatures in the fabrication of aerospace components.

To minimize the cost and quality challenges associated with titanium forging and machining, the Joule Form process directs energy only where it is needed, decreasing the cost of machined parts while reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

The Joule Form process allows Spirit to form parts out of titanium plates rather than relying on machining large blocks of titanium. This significantly reduces waste and decreases the amount of machining. The process was internally developed as part of one of Spirit's key research focus areas, the Lean Metallic Structures Distinctive Capability.

"We are the first in the aerospace industry to use this high-tech solution. The implementation of the Joule Form process allows for more advanced production of titanium parts, such as those on Spirit's propulsion, fuselage, and wing products," said Spirit AeroSystems Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Quality Officer John Pilla. "This approach offers a host of benefits that ultimately reduce costs and drive greater efficiencies."

"This emerging manufacturing improvement can replace more expensive techniques," said Kevin Matthies, Spirit's senior vice president of Global Fabrication. "We want to build high-quality products in a cost-effective way. This is a great example of improving a process to better serve our customers."

Expanding Camden, Arkansas, facility to include two new production buildings; adding 326 new jobs by 2024.

Lockheed Martin is investing $142 million in its Camden, Arkansas, facility and adding 326 new jobs by 2024. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined Lockheed Martin executives during the Paris Air Show announcing this investment.

Two new production buildings will support manufacturing long range fires and PAC-3 missile defense capabilities, plus expanding current facilities.

Frank St. John, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, "The facility has a long record of precision manufacturing and on-time deliveries, which is the reason we continue to invest in and expand our Camden Operations."

Camden Operations is Lockheed Martin's Precision Fires operations center of excellence.

Hutchinson said, "Lockheed's investment illustrates the fact that Arkansas continues to be a global player in the aero-defense industry."

The newly created jobs are growing the Camden facility workforce from approximately 700 employees to more than 900 employees in the next few years.

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Deal includes CRJ maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, sales, service centers, and type certificates.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) will acquire Bombardier Inc.’s Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) program for $550 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $200 million in liabilities. Also, Bombardier's interest in the Regional Aircraft Securitization Program (RASPRO), valued at approximately $180 million, will be transferred to MHI.

MHI will acquire the maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, and sales activities for the CRJ series aircraft, including the related services and support network located in Montréal, Québec; and Toronto, Ontario, and its service centers located in Bridgeport, West Virginia; and Tucson, Arizona, as well as the type certificates.

This acquisition complements MHI's existing commercial aircraft business that inculdes the development, production, sales and support of the Mitsubishi SpaceJet [formerly known as the MRJ] commercial aircraft family. The maintenance and engineering capabilities of the CRJ program will further enhance critical customer support functions, a strategic business area for MHI in the pursuit of future growth.

Seiji Izumisawa, President & CEO of MHI, commented, "This transaction represents one of the most important steps in our strategic journey to build a strong, global aviation capability. It augments these efforts by securing a world-class and complementary set of aviation-related functions including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO); engineering; and customer support."

Izumisawa concluded, "MHI has a decades-long history in Canada, and I hope this transaction will result in the expansion of our presence in the country and will represent a significant step in our growth strategy."

"We are very pleased to announce this agreement, which represents the completion of Bombardier's aerospace transformation," said Alain Bellemare, Bombardier Inc. president and CEO. "We are confident that MHI's acquisition of the program is the best solution for airline customers, employees, and shareholders. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition."

Bellemare continued, "With our aerospace transformation now behind us, we have a clear path forward and a powerful vision for the future." The company will now seek to grow Bombardier Transportation, its global rail business, and its Bombardier Aviation business jets.

The CRJ production facility in Mirabel, Québec will remain with Bombardier. Bombardier will continue to supply components and spare parts and will assemble the current CRJ backlog on behalf of MHI. CRJ production is expected to conclude in the second half of 2020, following the delivery of the current backlog of aircraft.

The transaction is currently expected to close during the first half of 2020 and remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.