Aurora Labs Limited (A3D), an Australian additive manufacturing specialist, has secured a contract with the Australian Department of Defense (ADF) to develop a novel propulsion system. The project, which runs until June 2025 and is worth AUD 319,000, builds on A3D’s existing developments in micro gas-powered turbines and marks an important step in strengthening national capabilities through local manufacturing technologies.
Rebekah Letheby, CEO of A3D, commented: “This contract signifies a major milestone in our commitment to defence innovation and underscores our capabilities in delivering high-performance, locally manufactured propulsion systems. We are thrilled to support the ADF innovation initiative and look forward to the success of the system in this proof of concept first stage.”
The project not only provides for the development and testing of a functional propulsion system, but also grants Aurora Labs the right to commercialize the resulting intellectual property. While the Australian Department of Defense receives a license to use the technology for testing and evaluation purposes, the company retains the rights to commercial use, which promises additional economic benefits in the long term.
With this approach, Aurora Labs aims to provide advanced, reliable and efficient solutions in the field of 3D printing and engine technology. All materials used in the turbine systems will undergo extensive quality control and field testing to meet high reliability and performance requirements. This project highlights the increasing role of 3D printing in the manufacture of complex, mission-critical systems and the opportunities that additive manufacturing opens up for the defense sector.
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