Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

Wilder Systems has developed a robotic drilling system for aircraft structures manufacturing. This product has achieved Technical Readiness Level 7 and will be transitioning into full rate production of new aircraft with multiple commercial customers in 2019. A new application for this dual use technology has been identified in heavy aircraft structures maintenance, specifically drilling out rivets as part of the fuselage and wing panel replacement process at the depot. The Wilder Systems drilling solution aims to reduce human labor during these replacements, allowing those employees to be redeployed to complete higher-skilled tasks throughout the depots and avoid career-impacting shoulder and elbow injuries. In addition, reduced cycle time from the use of robotics will greatly reduce overall aircraft ground time, returning the equipment to the warfighter up to several days faster.