Key Takeaways
- The US Army's DEVCOM Armaments Center and Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock (NSWCC) demonstrated 3D printing capabilities for repair and manufacturing at Valiant Shield and RIMPAC exercises
- Additive manufacturing (AM) enabled distributed supply chain capabilities aboard the USS Essex
- 3D printed drone boats and vessels were produced using large-format polymer 3D printers and spray foam and coating systems
- The manufacturing process was faster and cheaper than conventional methods, with potential to produce a 5-meter platform every 4 hours and a 7-meter platform every 6 hours
- Expeditionary manufacturing capabilities are being prioritized by the US military in the Indo-Pacific region
Introduction to 3D Printing in Military Exercises
The recent Valiant Shield and RIMPAC exercises in the Indo-Pacific region showcased the potential of 3D printing in military manufacturing. The US Army's DEVCOM Armaments Center and Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock (NSWCC) demonstrated the use of 3D printing for repair and manufacturing of electronics components and vessels.
3D Printed Vessels and Drone Boats
The Manufacturing Attritable Systems at Scale (MASS) project involved the production of 3D printed vessels, both manned and unmanned. A large-format polymer 3D printer and a spray foam and coating system were used to produce multiple versions of a 7-meter raiding craft. The process was faster and cheaper than conventional methods, with a 5-meter hull initially taking 16 hours and $11,000 of materials to produce.
Comparison of 3D Printing Methods
| Method | Time | Cost | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Several days/weeks | $50,000+ | Established process, high quality |
| 3D Printing | 4-6 hours | $11,000 | Faster, cheaper, customizable |
Expeditionary Manufacturing Capabilities
The US military is prioritizing expeditionary manufacturing capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. This involves the use of containerized manufacturing systems and 3D printing to produce components and vessels in the field. The potential benefits include increased speed and agility, reduced logistics costs, and improved supply chain resilience.
Quote from Marissa Stecko, Engineer at NSWCC
"We have reason to believe that, once fully scaled, we could manufacture a 5-meter platform every 4 hours with a team of 12, and a 7-meter platform every 6 hours. We're still in the prototyping phase, but there's a tremendous amount of potential."
Bottom Line
The use of 3D printing in military manufacturing is becoming increasingly important, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The Valiant Shield and RIMPAC exercises demonstrated the potential of additive manufacturing to enable distributed supply chain capabilities and expeditionary manufacturing. With the potential to produce components and vessels faster and cheaper than conventional methods, 3D printing is likely to play a significant role in the future of military manufacturing.