The C-17 Globemaster III is deployed by the United States Air Force to transport up to 77,500 kg of load - often including combat forces, equipment, and humanitarian aid - around the world.
More than 200 of the vehicles are said to be in operation by the US Armed Forces, underlining their importance to US Air Force operations.
So, when there is damage to parts on the aircraft, the 911th Maintenance Squadron at Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, part of Air Force Reserve Command and 60th Maintenance Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, part of Air Mobility Command, like to be able to act quickly.
Whether the fault relates to a structural component or, as in this case, a couple of parts in the on-board lavatory facilities, each hour that the aircraft is grounded incurs significant costs.
Here is how additive manufacturing can help.
