Within the field of additive manufacturing the various branches of the United States military have often been at the forefront of incorporating 3D printed devices and manufacturing techniques into their literal and figurative arsenals. From military buildings to naval ship construction and to the frontlines of combat, the military 3D printing sector is quickly growing into a multi-billion dollar industry. Most recently, the United States Marine Corps has issued a report highlighting the role of the Marine Corps Systems Command Advanced Manufacturing Systems (AMS) team in tackling the issues of supply and logistics effectiveness through additive manufacturing.
The USMC has been looking into the multitudinous applications of 3D printing as it places higher strategic importance on additive manufacturing in its new restructuring plan, Force Design, which refocuses the Armed Forces branch on potential threats and conflict scenarios in the Pacific where the Corps will require a “fully-integrated logistics enterprise” capable of supporting “multi-domain and distributed operations in contested environments”, as stated in their guidance document. Overall, the goal of this restructuring is to ensure that soldiers have access to top-of-the-line equipment and replacement parts without the added stress of long supply lines and geological obstacles.
