The British Army is employing 3D printing technology in field operations for the first time during the largest NATO deployment in Europe in a generation.
3D metal printing allows for rapid on-site production of spare parts, saving transportation costs and time while enhancing the military's operational readiness.
The application of this technology represents a significant step in military innovation and underscores Britain's leadership in this field.
British Army Utilizes Cutting-Edge 3D Printer for the First Time in Field Operations.
In a groundbreaking move, the British Army has deployed a state-of-the-art 3D printer for the first time in field operations on the largest NATO deployment in Europe in a generation. The 9th Theatre Support Battalion of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers is using this technology to manufacture spare parts for vehicles and implement crucial modifications to battle-winning equipment during the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender.
The use of both mobile metal and plastic 3D printers by the Army, which can be easily transported between locations, marks the first time globally that this technology has been employed by a military force in direct support of a large-scale NATO exercise.
3D metal printing enables the production of metal parts on-site within an hour, eliminating the need to ship parts for repair and thereby saving on transportation costs and time.
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized that this technology significantly enhances the flexibility of the British Armed Forces in the field and reaffirms Britain's position at the forefront of innovation in defense.
The principle of metal printing involves digitally producing a component using computer-aided design. A fine metal powder such as copper, aluminum, or steel is then propelled through a nozzle at three times the speed of sound, while a mechanical arm shapes the component, building the object layer by layer. After construction, the component undergoes various post-processing steps such as heat treatment, milling, and finishing.
Currently, the printer is being utilized to maintain older vehicles like the Land Rover by printing hard-to-obtain spare parts. Future plans include developing catalogs of components for new vehicle fleets such as the BOXER and AJAX, enabling parts to be printed on demand in the field.
