3D Printing and the Defense Sector:
The Future is Now
2024 White Paper
Download the full white paper for a complete look at 3D printing and the Defense sector; a review of where we are and a look at what the future holds.
At this stage in the evolution of additive manufacturing (AM), the defense market’s role in propelling innovation and scale is well-recognized. But what specifically drives the defense sector’s profound interest in 3D printing?
Answering this question is difficult due to the numerous reasons behind the defense industry’s focus on AM and the multidimensional nature of the military’s AM activities.
Nonetheless, some reasons certainly jump to mind, particularly as they’ve been at the forefront of the most recent wave of global military AM activity, with the US military demonstrating the key themes most visibly. These reasons are interconnected, which is natural in the context of giant organizations where strategic action is crucial for effective operation.
If there is a singular explanation for military customers’ interest in AM, it’s the technology’s ability to help address many difficult challenges simultaneously. By zooming in on the US defense industrial base (DIB) and turning to the examples from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Velo3D, we can start to understand the key reasons for the military’s interest in AM, as well as the significant implications of this interest for the future of the AM sector.