A British Army L118 Light Gun. Babcock says its additive manufactured eye shaft for the gun has been recommended for adoption into the UK MoD's defence inventory. (Crown Copyright)
Babcock International Group (Babcock) completed the first package of work for the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Project Tampa, according to a company press release on 26 November.
The programme focuses on increasing the use of 3D printed parts across defence equipment in an effort to reduce costs, overcome obsolescence in parts, and improve the availability of replacement parts.
“We are now engaged in delivering the next work package in this programme,” Kate Robinson, managing director, Babcock's Land and UK Aviation sector, said in the press release.
Project Tampa was launched on 16 September 2022 and was expected to last nearly seven years, according to the UK government tender notice. The programme's total estimated value of purchase for the duration of the framework agreement is between GBP3–5 million (USD3.8–6.3 million), the tender said.
The project includes the delivery of complex components for the L118 Light Gun, the 4.5 inch gun used on the Type 23 frigate, and the torpedo launch system for both the Astute- and Dreadnought-class submarines.
The Light Gun eye shaft has been recommended for adoption into the defence inventory by the MoD's Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team and is ready to be ordered, according to Babcock.
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