late 1999 to early 2000 (and backfills for previous years) / DB reference years
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Author Edward D. Flinn
Source Aerospace America, Nov 1999 v37 i11 p22(2).
Abstract The Naval Air Systems Command, Northrop Grumman and Boeing are jointly evaluating the fabrication of aircraft structural parts using a CAD laser-forming technique. AeroMet Corp., based in Eden Prairie, MN, has been contracted to carry out the laser forming, which involves constructing four wing components for the F/A-18E/F using a method of layered manufacturing. Cost savings from laser forming will be around $50 million for 400 aircraft. It is possible that laser forming could be used to make parts for commercial aircraft. XX