The US Navy has agreed a $20 million contract to purchase up to 25 Stratasys F900 3-D printers over the next five years, with delivery of the first eight expected before the end of 2021. The contract also includes initial support and sustainment, materials, and development of a training programme for the supplied systems.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) issued a report in January 2021 outlining its additive manufacturing (AM) strategy. The report explained how manufacturing is undergoing a digital revolution, and the important role AM can play in a shift to a digital manufacturing ecosystem.

In particular, AM can help modernise the national defence systems, increase material readiness, and enhance military innovation and capability. Among other objectives, the DoD set a goal of integrating AM into both the department and the broader defense industrial base, while advancing and promoting the agile use of 3-D printing.

Mark Menninger, director of US Government Business Segment for Stratasys, said: “The benefits of AM for military organisations like the US Navy include cost-effectively extending the life of strategic and tactical assets like aircraft while ensuring sustainment activities can happen quickly and from virtually anywhere

“This contract, the largest government project for Stratasys to date, continues to expand the presence of industrial 3-D printing from Stratasys across the US government.”

The 3-D printers will be located on bases in the USA and Japan with the potential to be used to produce end-use parts, tooling and training aids, as well as to assist the Navy in achieving its goal of using distributed AM practices to maintain its fleet of aircraft across bases worldwide.