Staff Sgt. Ryan McBride shows off the E-3 armrest end caps, the one on the right being an original manufactured part and the one on the left was made by the 552nd Maintenance Squadron’s Fabrications Flight, using 3-D printing technology. The part is the first 3D-printed part approved by the Air Force for in-flight use on the E-3 Sentry. The original supply cost was $8, but his shop can now 3D-print them in 10 minutes, with a cost of only $ The cost savings of this piece alone is $1,000 per year. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

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Size: 1904px × 2760px
Photo credit: © AB Forces News Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 3-, 552, acw, awacs, tinker