Stratasys will take part in a US Department of Defense program aimed at expanding the use of additive manufacturing across military systems.
The company will contribute to the Joint Additive Manufacturing Acceptability IV Pilot Parts Program, which seeks to validate 3D-printed components for operational platforms and streamline certification processes.
The effort builds on Stratasys’ existing work with US defense programs, including the US Air Force and Naval Air Systems Command.
This includes producing aerodynamic microvanes for the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, linked to estimated annual fuel savings of about $14 million, as well as replacement parts that reduce lead times.
Boosting Additive Manufacturing
Interest in additive manufacturing is growing across the US defense sector, driven by efforts to strengthen supply chains and accelerate production.
Budget allocations reflect this trend, with Washington defense spending on additive manufacturing estimated at around $3.3 billion this year, according to data cited by Stratasys.
Recent contracts and programs point to a shift toward scaling production.
In February, L3Harris Technologies began work under a Pentagon initiative to apply additive manufacturing to air-breathing hypersonic propulsion systems, reducing component production timelines.
The effort, managed through the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, focuses on materials and processes suited for higher-rate manufacturing.
Separately, Velo3D secured a contract to support a US defense contractor on a national security program, using metal 3D printing methods such as laser powder bed fusion to produce complex components more quickly.
