The team also demonstrated a Digital Product Passport by capturing and recording material provenance and lifecycle data. This can potentially enable more informed decisions around material allocation and protect against the use of counterfeit materials.
Thomas Powell, DRDT’s Strategic & Submarine Recycling Senior Commercial Manager said: "Not only can this solution reduce the costs and burden of sourcing critical and high-value metals, but it can also produce components that are lighter, strong and longer lasting than those made through traditional forging techniques, thereby further enhancing the MOD’s overall sustainability and effectiveness.”
A team of more than 80 people participated in this project, including DRDT’s commercial graduates and Rolls-Royce graduate apprentices, combining current skills and innovative technologies to deliver and maintain future capabilities.
Squadron Leader Rob, FCAS’ Sustainability Requirements Manager said: "Innovative technology initiatives such as Tornado 2 Tempest could reduce the RAF’s dependence on lengthy and costly supply chains, allowing us to sustain operations for longer, with the associated benefit of reduced emissions and waste.
“Through the expected lifecycle of the UK’s FCAS, we expect access to critical materials to be challenged, as global supply chains become increasingly disrupted and competitive. In parallel, there is a societal need to make the best use of the raw materials we already have.”
The MOD’s Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS) recently awarded the Tornado 2 Tempest Rolls-Royce a CDLS Commendation in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the delivery and improvements of support to the front line.
Robert Higham, AMS Director said: "At AMS, our tagline is ‘Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future’, and we were confident our innovations and ideas would have a great bearing on the future of a resilient supply. This project turned our proposed solutions into a reality, and we have been humbled and grateful to the MOD and Rolls-Royce for allowing us to showcase our capability to deliver game-changing circular economy processes and parts in Defence.”