WEBVTT
X-TIMESTAMP-MAP=LOCAL:00:00:00.000,MPEGTS:0
00:00.360 –> 00:03.549
Sometimes the simplest solutions produce the
most significant results,
00:03.640 –> 00:08.000
and the US Air Force is close to implementing a
very basic feature that could end up saving
00:08.000 –> 00:11.720
millions.
The C-17 Globemaster 3 is a flexible aircraft
00:11.720 –> 00:15.090
used to carry troops and all types of cargo
from point A to point B.
00:15.279 –> 00:17.989
It’s also a massive plane and not particularly
fuel efficient,
00:18.239 –> 00:20.590
but a small 3D printed device could help with
that.
00:20.719 –> 00:23.399
The Air Force Operational Energy and Air
Mobility Command.
00:23.594 –> 00:27.424
Said it’s in the final phase of testing for
micro vein drag reduction technology,
00:27.754 –> 00:32.435
which is a thin blade measuring about 4 by 16
inches or roughly the size of two Costco hot
00:32.435 –> 00:34.875
dogs.
When about a dozen micro veins are glued to the
00:34.875 –> 00:40.275
rear of the C17’s exterior, it results in a 1%
reduction in drag compared to a C-17 with no
00:40.275 –> 00:42.264
micro veins.
That might not sound like much,
00:42.435 –> 00:45.505
but that reduction in drag also means a
reduction in fuel consumption,
00:45.625 –> 00:49.709
and the Air Force expects it.
Save as much as $14 million or roughly the cost
00:49.709 –> 00:52.790
of $9.3 million Costco hotdogs and annual fill
costs.
00:52.869 –> 00:55.990
The technology, which was developed in
cooperation with the Air Force Research
00:55.990 –> 00:59.659
Laboratory, private industry, and the Air Force
Life Cycle Management Center,
00:59.869 –> 01:04.459
helps reduce the aerodynamic drag caused by the
upswep design of the C-17’s cargo door section.
01:04.589 –> 01:08.050
It’s already proven to work so well that
partner countries like Canada and the United
01:08.050 –> 01:10.349
Kingdom want to add them to their C-17 fleets
too.
01:10.444 –> 01:13.934
The Air Force has been flight testing the
technology since 2023.
01:14.105 –> 01:17.415
That includes running it through air refueling
and assault strip operations.
01:17.665 –> 01:22.105
The C-17 used in those tests has now become the
first with permanent installation of micro
01:22.105 –> 01:26.654
veins, and all six aircraft are currently
modified for the logistics service assessment,
01:26.864 –> 01:30.535
which the department said is the final step
before micro veins are attached to the entire
01:30.535 –> 01:31.574
C-17 fleet.
01:31.864 –> 01:33.785
I’m Nolan Bastein.
This is manufacturing now.