Additive Manufacturing in the U.S. Military: A Strategic Evolution

Since 2012, the U.S. military has been pioneering additive manufacturing (AM), deploying 3D printers in the field across the Army, Navy, and DoD contractors. The real momentum began in 2016, when the Department of Defense (DoD) partnered with America Makes and Deloitte to convene nine workshops involving the three branches of the U.S. military and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The workshops culminated in the Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Roadmap, released in November 2016. This groundbreaking document positioned AM as a “game‑changing technology” capable of transforming logistics, enabling innovative products, and boosting material readiness for the U.S. armed forces.

Over the past decade, AM’s role within the military has evolved dramatically—from simple prototyping to producing end‑use parts for vehicles, aircraft, weapons, gear, shelters, and more. In January 2023, the DoD published the Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Strategy, followed by the DOD Instruction 5000.93: Use of Additive Manufacturing in the DOD in June. Instruction 5000.93 codifies overall AM policy, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and offers comprehensive guidance for the entire DoD supply chain.

The strategy articulates a unified vision for AM and outlines five key goals:

• Integrate AM into DoD operations and the broader industrial ecosystem.
• Align, promote, and advance AM initiatives across the department and in collaboration with federal partners.
• Forge public‑private partnerships, notably with America Makes, to foster industry and academic collaboration.
• Enhance DoD workforce capabilities through targeted training and best‑practice sharing.
• Guarantee cybersecurity throughout the AM workflow within the DoD and its supply chain.

Today, the majority of military 3D‑printing efforts focus on experimental applications, reflecting the branch’s tradition of pushing technological boundaries. As history shows, many innovations—once proven in defense contexts—often transition to civilian use, from the internet to satellite navigation and beyond.

This post is part one of a two‑part series on additive manufacturing in the military. In part two, we will showcase specific AM projects across the various branches. For additional insight into how the military mitigates supply‑chain risks with AM, check out our recent webinar recording.