Huneed Signs 3D Printing Technology Collaboration Agreement with UK MBDA

Hunid Headquarters located in Songdo, Incheon

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Defense company Hunid Technologies (hereinafter Hunid) has signed a cooperation agreement on missile 3D printing technology with the UK’s MBDA.

On the 4th, Hunid announced that it had signed a five-year contract with the UK’s MBDA for the "3D Printing Technology Development (AMTDP)."

This contract is the first 3D printing industry-related project approved by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Hunid formed a technology partnership with Germany’s EOS in March last year to advance its 3D printing business and established a technology innovation center. Subsequently, it also obtained the first domestic certification for additive manufacturing special processes in the defense aviation sector. Unlike metal parts production through casting, forging, machining, or extrusion, additive manufacturing technology allows product realization without shape constraints. In the aviation field, it is regarded as a core technology area of the 4th Industrial Revolution for production efficiency.

MBDA, a UK missile manufacturer, is scheduled to supply the mid-range air-to-air missile system for the Korean 4.5-generation fighter KF-X, manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). It will also participate in the 'Future Combat Air System (FCAS)' program for the 6th-generation fighter being developed by France, Germany, and Spain, aiming to develop laser energy weapon systems.

MBDA supplies 45 types of missiles to various countries and is developing 15 new weapons. Its sales in 2018 amounted to 3.2 billion euros.

Shin Jong-seok, CEO of Hunid, said, "Our Vision 2025 is to develop 3D printing manufacturing capabilities on a global scale, and we will achieve this goal through cooperation with MBDA."