Over the last few years, more and more 3D printing innovations have been coming out of South Africa, like the country’s first platinum 3D print. The technology also has its uses in the country’s defense sector, as the South African Air Force (SAAF) uses 3D printing to keep on top of things, even under a strict budget.
South African defense company Paramount Group is looking to use digital manufacturing to attain self-sufficiency, in an effort to introduce a purpose-designed platform to the light surveillance/attack aircraft market.
The company purposely chose this type of aircraft, rather than utility or agricultural, for its unique venture. The Ahrlac (Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft) and its armed variant, the Mwari, are being developed and produced in a new factory at Wonderboom Airport by Ahrlac Holdings, which is co-owned by Paramount.
Paramount says that it has already begun production on customer aircraft, though it won’t disclose any specifics about its launch customers, and the first one should be ready late in the second quarter of 2018.
thumbnail courtesy of Paramount Group
