The US Army and Marine Corps have trained with “additive manufacturing” techniques and related applications at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
Additive manufacturing is a process in which digitized 3D designs are built with materials one layer at a time.
Hosted by the 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s Innovation Campus, the Basic Additive Manufacturing Course hones the service’s computer-aided designing, 3D printing, and reverse engineering skills.
Additive Manufacturing Solution
According to the US Army, additive manufacturing enables the force to modify its existing capabilities. Furthermore, the technology addresses supply chain shortages that “currently plague readiness” in the service.
In this regard, the army established the Airborne Innovation Lab at Fort Bragg to meet requirements under the US Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Strategy introduced in 2021.
“Simple components can deadline a vehicle, causing it (to be) inoperable, and lead times for those components may be months. Being able to build those components ourselves within the [Airborne Innovation Lab], and teach others is invaluable,” 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper 1st Lt. Chris Selig said.
“Marines and Paratroopers have a very similar problem set, so collaborating on aligned additive manufacturing efforts just makes sense,” Airborne Innovation Lab Director 1st Lt. Jen Sanders added.
“The Marines bring a certain expertise to the table, and we hope that one day we may host the [2nd Marine Logistics Group] for a course of the Airborne Innovation Lab.”
