Lockheed Martin, Arconic announce two-year joint development agreement

As part of an initiative to develop next-generation advanced materials and manufacturing processes, Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, Maryland, and Arconic, Pittsburgh, a global technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing leader, have announced a two-year joint development agreement.

Together, the companies say they plan to develop customized lightweight material systems and advanced manufacturing processes, such as metal 3D printing, to advance current and next-generation aerospace and defense solutions—including new structures and systems not currently in existence.

This agreement expands the longstanding relationship between Arconic and Lockheed Martin, the companies say. They collaborate on advanced materials and manufacturing projects such as the development of process modeling, simulation tools and lightweight, corrosion resistant alloys. Arconic also supplies Lockheed Martin with a broad portfolio of multimaterial products for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft program—from engine to airframe structures—as well as 3D-printed metal parts for service on NASA’s Orion spacecraft.

“At Lockheed Martin, we are relentlessly finding ways to develop materials that create state-of-the-art advanced capabilities, reduce waste and generate efficiencies in manufacturing practices,” says Rod Makoske, Lockheed Martin senior vice president of corporate engineering, technology and operations. “Collaborating with Arconic will help us uncover new ideas for materials development where traditional practices aren’t suitable, investigate more sustainable material compositions and find ways to produce materials more effectively.”

“We have a long history of innovative collaboration with Lockheed Martin across multiple platforms—from single-piece forged bulkheads for the F-35 to 3D printed parts for the Orion spacecraft—and we are pleased to expand on that relationship with this new agreement,” adds Ray Kilmer, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Arconic. “Lockheed is always innovating, and it is a privilege to apply our materials and manufacturing expertise to help them deliver their next generation of cutting-edge products.”

Arconic provides a range of multimaterials and products for many aero engines and airframe platforms. The company’s products range from the world’s largest fuselage panels and wing skins, to 1/16-inch-diameter fasteners that hold an aircraft together.

Its newest available product, Arconic-Thor, is an advanced titanium alloy that is designed for higher temperature applications in next-generation aero engines and adjacent structures. The company says its product is nearly 50 percent lighter than incumbent nickel-based superalloys, driving cost savings and fuel efficiency for customers and helping Arconic capture growing demand for advanced aero engine and airframe materials.

Arconic says it already has completed successful development projects of Arconic-Thor with customers and has announced it is releasing the product for commercial availability.

Lockheed Martin’s newly released 2017 corporate sustainability report details how innovative manufacturing techniques—like industrial 3D printing—can allow for greater resource efficiency, less materials used and potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions over the full life cycle of a part.

In 2017, Lockheed Martin says it made progress toward its goal of creating greater manufacturing efficiencies, including completing life cycle assessments on three products, identifying total cost of ownership reductions of $574 million from decreased resource consumption and impacts on human health and the environment.

Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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