Summary and Key Points: The UK’s Ministry of Defence is pioneering a bold approach to building its next-generation Tempest fighter—by recycling retired Tornado jets. Instead of sourcing expensive foreign materials, old fighter jet parts are ground into a titanium-rich powder used for 3D printing new aircraft components.
-Rolls-Royce has successfully tested these parts in an Orpheus engine, proving their viability.
-This initiative not only reduces costs but also strengthens supply chain resilience. With Italy and Japan also involved, the Tempest program is set to revolutionize sustainable aircraft manufacturing, with a planned first flight in 2026 and entry into service by 2035.
The UK Is Recycling Old Fighter Jets to Build the Tempest
The British Ministry of Defence is grinding up old fighter jets and using what’s left to build its next-generation Tempest fighter.
While this approach might sound crazy, it actually reduces the country’s reliance on foreign-sourced materials and points toward some incredible new ways to recycle old aircraft.
Introduced as a response to lingering concerns about how the global market for vital materials could be impacted by large-scale war between great powers, this is an area of increasing focus for the Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) program. The FCAS is Britain’s overarching effort that includes the development of the crewed Tempest fighter.
“Through the expected lifecycle of the U.K.’s FCAS, we expect access to critical materials to be challenged, as global supply chains become increasingly disrupted and competitive. In parallel, there is a societal need to make the best use of the raw materials we already have,” explained the Future Combat Air System’s Sustainability Requirements Manager, identified only as “Squadron Leader Rob.”
To achieve this, rather than just scrapping old Tornado GR4s that were retired from active service in 2019 and then sourcing all the high-quality raw materials needed for the new Tempest fighter program from foreign countries, the U.K. will simply yank parts off of those old Tornados and feed them into an industrial grinder to produce a powder, called “feedstock.” This powder can then be used by industrial 3D printers to produce new components for new fighters.
The British Ministry of Defense, is collaborating with Rolls Royce in the effort.
In testing so far, Tornado engine compressor blades, which include a high quantity of titanium, were cleaned, ground up, and then used to 3D print a new nosecone and compressor blades for “Orpheus” the small engine Rolls Royce has in testing to mature technologies for the Tempest program.
With its new 3D-printed component, the Orpheus engine was then put through the wringer and managed to pass all suitability and safety tests.
“Tornado 2 Tempest is a bold, exciting and innovative project and a demonstration of how excellent collaboration between the MOD, industry and SME can deliver sustainable and technologically advanced solutions,” said Andrew Eady, Rolls-Royce Vice President for FCAS Sustainability.
This same recycling and 3D-printing process can be used for steel and aluminum components as well, which would further reduce waste, and allow the U.K. to have to mine and process fewer raw materials in the future.
“Not only can this solution reduce the costs and burden of sourcing critical and high-value metals, but it can also produce components that are lighter, strong and longer lasting than those made through traditional forging techniques, thereby further enhancing the MOD’s overall sustainability and effectiveness,” Thomas Powell, DRDT’s Strategic & Submarine Recycling Senior Commercial Manager, said in a Rolls Royce press release.
Construction of the first Tempest technology demonstrator began last year, and the U.K., Italy, and Japan, which are also partner countries in the program, are hoping to see the aircraft make its first test flight in 2026, with the goal of getting these fighters into service by 2035.
Tempest Fighter: A Story in Photos
Image of the UK’s concept model for the next generation jet fighter “Tempest”, which was unveiled by Defence Secretary, at Farnborough International Air Show back in 2018.
Tempest 6th-Generation Fighter from BAE Systems.
Tempest UK-based Sixth Generation Fighter. Image Credit: BAE Screenshot.
BAE Systems artist image of Tempest Stealth Fighter. Image Credit: BAE.
Tempest. Image Credit: Industry handout.
Tempest Artist Rendition. Image Credit: Industry Handout.
About the Author: Alex Hollings
Alex Hollings is the editor of the Sandboxx blog and a former U.S. Marine that writes about defense policy and technology. He lives with his wife and daughter in Georgia. This first appeared in Sandboxx.
