3D Printing is Not the Solution. 3D Printing is Part of the Solution.

The Promise and Limitations of 3D Printing in Defense Manufacturing

John Mark Wilson, former Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council, is the latest voice to come forward arguing that the United States must shift its defense manufacturing priorities from large, exquisite platforms like the F-35 and advanced warships to smaller, proliferated autonomous systems.

He is rightly concerned that the next Presidential administration may abandon recent efforts such as the Replicator program and could reverse course on divesting programs centered around large platforms.

I’ve not been quiet in stating my stance on this issue—which aligns well with Wilson, although perhaps a bit more nuanced. We need both advanced, exquisite platforms and also low-cost, attritable mass.

There are, of course, differing approaches to creating this attritable mass. One of which, that is frequently touted, being additive manufacturing (3D printing). Many argue (quite loudly, I may add) that additive manufacturing is THE solution for producing low-cost, s…