China's aviation industry has started using world-leading 3D printing technologies in new-generation warplanes, with advantages including high structural strength, light weight, long service life, low cost and fast manufacturing.

Dr Li Xiaodan, a member of the Luo Yang Youth Commando, told China Media Group (CMG) on Sunday that "we are applying 3D printing technologies on aircraft on a large scale at an engineering level with a world-leading position."

"The 3D printed parts were widely used on a newly developed aircraft that made its maiden flight not long ago."

The Luo Yang Youth Commando at Shenyang Aircraft Company's research institute was named after Luo Yang, head of the production of China's J-15 carrier-based fighter jet, who died on November 25, 2012. 

Efforts of a decade

China's aviation production reached a ceiling in 2013 due to the growing demands of warplane development in terms of weight reduction, lifespan extension, cost control and rapid response, so the Luo Yang Youth Commando was established to find a breakthrough.

The Luo Yang Youth Commando made innovations and mastered 3D printing technologies, also known as additive manufacturing. 

Compared with conventional manufacturing methods, which need to use rivets or welding to connect parts together, 3D printing builds an integrated part, which enjoys higher structural strength and longer service life, said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator.

The new tech also enables manufacturers to use no extra materials, which makes the part lighter, Song said, adding that 3D printing is fast and parts can be quickly manufactured which makes logistics support simpler and less costly.

The Shenyang Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, has built the Chinese People's Liberation Army's main combat warplanes from the country's first generation J-5 fighter jet to the modern J-15 carrier-based fighter jet and the J-16 multirole fighter jet. 

It also developed China's second stealth fighter jet, the FC-31, which is available for export, and is also expected to be further developed into China's next generation carrier-based fighter jet, according to analysts.