7 EMS performs first on-aircraft cold spray repair on B-1B Lancer

Ryan Kayton, Engineering and Software System Solutions, Inc. mechanical technician, uses cold spray equipment to restore metal on a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20, 2026. The repair marked the first on-aircraft application of the technique at Dyess. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

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7 EMS performs first on-aircraft cold spray repair on B-1B Lancer

Marc Gilbert, Engineering and Software System Solutions, Inc. mechanical technician, left, and Ryan Kayton, ES3 mechanical technician, right, move equipment to begin a cold spray repair at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20, 2026. The repair marked the first time the technique was performed at Dyess while the component remained installed on a B-1B Lancer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

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7 EMS performs first on-aircraft cold spray repair on B-1B Lancer

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Tanksley, 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, moves a helium tank in support of a cold spray repair at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20, 2026. The helium was used to accelerate aluminum powder particles bonding with a metal surface during the structural repair of a B-1B Lancer component. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

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7 EMS performs first on-aircraft cold spray repair on B-1B Lancer

Kaleb Reyna, Engineering and Software System Solutions, Inc. mechanical engineer, connects power to cold spray equipment at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20, 2026. The cold spray system applies a metal coating to restore damaged aircraft and ground support equipment components without melting or weakening the original material. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

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7 EMS performs first on-aircraft cold spray repair on B-1B Lancer

Marc Gilbert, Engineering and Software System Solutions, Inc. mechanical technician, powers up cold spray equipment at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20, 2026. The cold spray process restores metal surfaces by bonding accelerator powder particles to the damaged area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

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7 EMS performs first on-aircraft cold spray repair on B-1B Lancer

Published March 4, 2026
By Airman 1st Class William Neal
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Ryan Kayton, Engineering and Software System Solutions, Inc. mechanical technician, uses cold spray equipment to restore metal on a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20, 2026. The repair marked the first on-aircraft application of the technique at Dyess. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)