This stock has 3D-printed a working gas turbine – and it could power UAVs

Aurora Labs (ASX:A3D) has revealed it has created a working gas turbine engine in Australia comprised of 3D-printed metal components.

Describing itself as a first mover, A3D is accelerating the pace at which it’s internally designing gas turbines for the Australian market.

The working turbine A3D revealed on Monday is a class 200N model (by the company’s own standards system,) with product chiefs moving towards a more powerful 400N class.

While the turbine announced on Monday is a micro model, the company is ultimately touting its success as a proof of concept for the manufacturing method.

Aurora reports that it took four months from concept to manufacture for the 200N.

The company made one interesting note in its release on Monday: these kinds of engines could be used to power UAV drones.

The 200N class turbine will be “available in the market as early as next month” with capabilities for lightweight propulsion in a broad range of fields.

Aurora has often orbited closely a defence sector sensibility and Monday’s reported success now awards the company a prototype benchmark for further designs.

“We have an excellent level of interest for A3D’s printed engines which also have application not only to unmanned aerial vehicles, but also instant power generation,” Aurora CEO Rebekah Letheby said.

“It is our goal to have a cutting-edge piece of technology to sell to the sizeable defence and aerospace markets.”

A3D shares were up 22% to 3.8cps in the first hour of trade.