Microvanes™ are small, 3D printed aerodynamic components that are surface-mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft to effectively reshape tail section airflow and reduce total drag on the aircraft. Lower drag means lower fuel and thrust requirements, which improves flight performance and reduces fuel costs for aircraft operators.

Dec 6, 2022 · Microvanes are small fin-like additions that attach to the fuselage to reduce drag. The Air Force says fitting the parts to the existing fleet could save millions of dollars per year in fuel.

Jan 22, 2025 · Small new devices meant to save money spent on gas by reducing aerodynamic drag are inching closer to fleetwide adoption for the Air Force’s 222 C-17 transport jets. Microvanes are 3D-printed out of composite materials into thin blades about 16 inches long.

Jan 24, 2025 · Small, simple and 3D-printed fin-like structures, called microvanes and fitted onto aircraft to reduce drag and subsequently fuel consumption, will soon be rolled out on the U.S. Air...

Very simply, Microvanes generate swirl in direction opposite to natural aft fuselage vortices and reshapes air flow around the aft cargo door; thereby, reducing total drag and thrust requirements on the aircraft.

May 30, 2017 · Startup Metro Aerospace has delivered the first shipsets of drag-reducing microvanes for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules to the Royal Canadian Air Force, which should complete installation of the aerodynamic devices on its C-130J fleet in June.

Jan 14, 2025 · When installed across the entire USAF C-17 fleet, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve aircraft, microvanes are a low-cost, innovative, force multiplying capability that improve mobility support to the joint force in high demand mission requirements.

Dec 5, 2022 · Microvanes are small 3D-printed structures that attach to the aft-end of the fuselage. The fin-like shape helps redirect airflow in this higher drag area, streamlining the aerodynamics and reducing overall fuel demand by approximately 1%.

Apr 23, 2020 · Strategically surface-mounted on the aft body of rear cargo airframes, Microvanes reshape tail section airflow, reducing the significant amount of drag created on aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, C-17, L-100, and KC-135.

Jan 31, 2025 · The US Air Force is completing its evaluation of 3D-printed microvanes designed to reduce drag on C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. These small blade-like components, measuring 4 x 16 inches, are installed at the rear of the aircraft’s fuselage using adhesive.