Aerospace & Defense

Drag reduction is a priority for airplanes as it helps to reduce fuel consumption, increase operational range and increase the speed of the craft.  Now it seems that additive manufacturing could play a role. The Air Force Operational Energy and…

Space is the final frontier of human exploration and additive manufacturing is playing a key role in that expansion. From producing rocket components to printing parts in zero gravity, 3D printing is being chosen in aerospace for its ability to…

Most of the heat control systems in use today are heavy, bulky and require many connecting cables. The EU project AHEAD (Advanced Heat Exchange Devices) aims to optimize these systems, and now a promising result has been presented: a 3D-printed…

American firm Supernova has been selected to receive a $2 million subcontracting contract awarded by the American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI). The goal of this agreement is to enable Supernova to advance 3D printing of military-grade energetic materials…

When most people think of making helmets safer, 3D printing technology is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, over the years we have seen numerous examples where additive manufacturing has contributed to better-fitting, more comfortable helmets,…

With the goal of further expanding its reach in space missions, NASA has signed an agreement with Rocket Lab USA, Inc. to integrate the Neutron rocket into the VADR program. This is a program to procure launch services at competitive…

As our modes of communication have gone wireless, the internet has become ever more important and aerospace applications multiply, the need for efficient, lightweight antennas has become urgent. 5G and 6G have accelerated this, and industry players need to find…

3D printing in space travel has made considerable progress in recent years. Initiatives from both NASA, which is researching the use of additive manufacturing in space including for structures, and the ESA, which has tested metal 3D printing on the…

Firehawk Aerospace, a Dallas-based defense company specializing in 3D printed solid rocket fuel, has just received a $60 million Series C investment led by 1789 Capital. The company’s mission is to enable the next generation of defense systems with solid…

When we think about the sectors that are being shaped by additive manufacturing, defense is undoubtedly one that comes to mind. This is especially the case in the United States, where the Department of Defense (DoD) has been leading the…

Additive manufacturing is amazing for producing lightweight, strong and geometrically complex parts—so the technology is particularly valuable in the aeronautics sector, where strength and weight optimization are critical. Aeronautics is the science and practice of designing, building, and flying all aircraft,…

According to a report from official Chinese military media, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is now said to have used technologies such as 3D printing and drones to test remote weapons maintenance. One exercise aimed to 3D print parts and…