Air Force Taps 3D Systems for Large‑Format Metal AM Demonstrator Supporting High‑Speed Light
The $7.65M contract builds upon 3D Systems’ history of working in support of the U.S. Department of Defense since 2019 for the advancement of additive manufacturing.
Jann Bond
Managing Editor, Gardner Business Media
The U.S. Air Force has awarded 3D Systems a $7.65M contract to build a large format metal 3D printer, the Advanced Technology Demonstrator (GEN‑IIDMP‑1000), to advance large‑scale, high‑temperature metal additive capabilities for high speed flight. This extends a USAF‑supported effort that 3D Systems has been executing since 2023.
What this means for high-speed flight projects within the USAF:
• Readiness and responsiveness. Printing large, flight‑relevant structures supports faster iteration and sustainment for systems exposed to extreme aero‑thermal loads.
• Strengthens U.S. industrial base. Execution of this project, taking place in San Diego, CA and Rock Hill, SC, strengthens domestic capacity in advanced manufacturing; project completion is targeted for September 27, 2027.
• From demonstration to deployment. The program matures key technologies intended to transition into commercial platforms, aligned with long‑term sustainment needs.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made thus far in our collaboration with the U.S. Air Force,” says Dr. Michael Shepard, vice president, aerospace & defense segment, 3D Systems. “We’ve successfully demonstrated a number of innovative technologies under this program and it’s exciting to see those technologies mature both for this large-scale system as well as our commercially available printers.”