First 3D metal part for US Navy vessel
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding has delivered the first 3D-printed metal part for installation on the US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman, the company announced on the 29 January.
The part – a piping assembly – will be evaluated for a one-year period onboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. In 2018, NAVSEA approved the technical standards for 3D printing after extensive collaboration with the company and industry partners that involved the rigorous printing of test parts and materials, and extensive development of an engineered test programme.
Charles Southall, VP of engineering and design, Newport News Shipbuilding, said: ‘We are pleased to have worked so closely with our navy partners to get to the point where the first 3D metal part will be installed on an aircraft carrier.
‘The advancement of additive manufacturing will help revolutionise naval engineering and shipbuilding. It also is a significant step forward in our digital transformation of shipbuilding processes to increase efficiency, safety and affordability.’
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power]()
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?
-
![US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027]()
US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027
The Technology Operational Experimentation Events will inform future requirements as the US Navy looks for innovative solutions across three key operational domains.
-
![Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”]()
Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”
Although the CDC project is still in its early stages, the Canadian Department of National Defence already has some requirements for the future platforms.
-
![US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection]()
US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection
The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking authorised resellers of JaiaBot uncrewed underwater vehicles and multivehicle pods. The platforms will support undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy.
