US wants to use 3D printing to speed up hypersonic weapons development

The US Department of Defence sees the future in additive manufacturing. The Pentagon is ready to use 3D printing to create hypersonic weapons.

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More specifically, 3D printing will help in the creation of direct-flow air-jet engines for hypersonic missiles. Due to additive manufacturing it is possible to create chambers for propulsion systems. The use of 3D printing will significantly speed up the process.

Additive manufacturing will be useful in the development of new systems, allowing the rapid creation of complex components. Keith DeVries, deputy director of the Manufacturing Technology Programme in the Office of the Secretary of Defence, said.

Conventional manufacturing products can have complex welded or soldered joints. Experts must test them to make sure they are reliable. This slows down programme development.

Additive manufacturing, on the other hand, will produce components without such joints, eliminating the need to spend time on testing. Despite such advantages, Keith DeVries believes that the integration of 3D printing should be organic and limited. Additive manufacturing should only be used where it is needed and where it can maximise the benefits.

Manufacturers are already beginning to adopt additive manufacturing. For example, we recently wrote about Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) agreeing to integrate 3D printing into the construction process of Virginia-class nuclear submarines.

Source: Defence News