U.S. Air Force to Outfit Entire C-17 Fleet with 3D Printed Drag-Reduction Devices

The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, working alongside the Air Force Research Laboratory and Air Mobility Command, have developed small blade-shaped aerodynamic inserts, formally designated microvanes, and tested them on a limited number of C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft.  Each plane received twelve of the devices, each measuring roughly 10 centimeters by 40 centimeters, bonded…