Airbus’ 2nd Generation 3D printed mini plane- THOR will feature aluminium wings

Airbus’ 3D printed mini plane, THOR, featuring aluminium wings, drew much attention at the ILA Berlin Air Show just a couple weeks ago. The unmanned aircraft, made almost entirely from 3D printed parts (except for its electrical components), was successfully flown this past November and has marked a significant step in the integration of 3D printing for the aerospace industry. More than that, however, Airbus will be using their innovative 3D printed mini aircraft as a testbed for new airplane technologies and low risk experiments. According to the European aircraft manufacturer, they will use THOR to efficiently test different 3D printed structural parts, advanced aerodynamics, and even artificial intelligence.

As Airbus explains, the second generation THOR model will be able to accommodate interchangeable wings. For instance, researchers could sequentially test the aircraft with a hexagonal wing structure, with a metallic aluminium wing, and even with a flexible wing manufactured from durable carbon-fiber reinforced plastics.

Though there is no mention of how long the testing process could take, once this level of wing testing is complete, the researchers at Airbus will go on to test artificial intelligence with the small aircraft. This future stage of testing, which hopes to see THOR land on its own, without external instructions by identifying obstacles and environmental elements, will be conducted in association with Airbus Defence and Space, a part of the Airbus Group parent company.

Finally, because the 3D printed aircrafts are so easy to manufacture, the research teams at Airbus are afforded a “willing-to-fail” mentality, which could ultimately result in some truly innovative developments within the aircraft industry. Konigorski explains, “If a THOR aircraft takes off, and after 30 feet makes a nose dive back the ground, our attitude is: ‘good, let’s sweep it off the runway and come up with a better idea.’ In a few weeks, we can print a new aircraft!”