US Army seeks new uses for 3D printing
US Army scientists developed a dual-polymer filament that helps to produce heavy-duty printed parts. (Photo: US Army)
In addition to fast providing replacement parts and reducing the need of relying on huge warehouses or long supply chains, the technology can be used in hybrid manufacturing processes and construction as well as with together robotic and AI capacities.
Accessing 3D printing technologies can better support armed forces on the battlefield and bring many benefits for military readiness. These advantages have been pushing the US Army towards identifying new applications for these systems.
Also called additive manufacturing, 3D printing can be used in hybrid manufacturing processes, spreading the development of vital equipment and even weapons systems, in addition to fast providing replacement parts and reducing reliance on huge warehouses or long supply chains.
The US Army also seeks to apply this technology in conjunction with robotic and AI capacities.
James Zunino, Army Technical Area Chief (TAC-1) Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![CAVS rolls on as Denmark orders 129 vehicles]()
CAVS rolls on as Denmark orders 129 vehicles
Denmark signed the Technical Arrangement for the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) in April this year. The order means the country will receive its first vehicle this year.
-
![MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise]()
MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise
The Soldier-Kit system consists of detector, jammer, tablet and wideband antenna and is being evaluated as part of Project Flytrap 3.0 counter uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) exercise.
-
![Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles]()
Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
-
![Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts]()
Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts
Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?
