3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Submarine Gets a 3D Printer
Join our mailinglist

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Submarine Gets a 3D Printer

February 27, 2023

We have seen a few navy ships being fitted with a variety of 3D printers over the last couple of years, but this is the first time we have heard of a submarine getting a 3D printer installed.

The USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) is a Virginia-class attack submarine, has installed an industrial-grade polymer/composite 3D printer, which will be used to replace/repair items while the submarine is out at sea. According to reports, the feedback is good so far.

Read on to learn more about how the US Navy is now printing beneath the waves.

Under the Sea

The submarine has been fitted with a Markforged X7 field edition 3D printer, which is capable of printing carbon fibre-reinforced nylon parts, allowing sailors to undertake unconventional repairs such as fixing pipe leaks and electrical enclosures in real time.

USS New Hampshire
USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) (Image credit: US Navy)

“3D printers provide the opportunity for creative problem solving. These devices lower the barrier for component manufacturing, empowering sailors to take ownership of their repairs, and to think outside the box,” said Capt. Bennett Christman, the commanding officer of USS New Hampshire.

“Ingenuity and creative problem solving are core to our history as a submarine force. Fostering these values will pay dividends in the way Sailors approach all aspects of their jobs.”

Self-sustainment

The printer can be used to produce a variety of parts, including those for standard or preventative maintenance, temporary replacements, drill props, tools, and fixturing. In short, it will enhance the submarine’s self-sustainment abilities, which is exactly what you need when you’re underwater for up to 4 months at a time.

Naval Sea Systems Command, a.k.a NAVSEA’s additive manufacturing research and development programme has installed 3D printers aboard nine surface ships and helped inform a kit-based solution for four submarines. We covered the installation of a hybrid-AM system on the USS Bataan last year.

NAVSEA Chief Engineer and Deputy Commander for Ship Design, Integration and Naval Engineering, Rear Adm. Jason Lloyd, has said that the use of additive manufacturing is a driver to enhance warfighting capabilities, increase readiness, accelerate capability development, and improve sustainment of Navy systems.

The Afloat Additive Manufacturing Program, which falls under NAVSEA, and oversees activities such as the submarine printer project, is set to become an acquisition programme of record in fiscal year 2024, under which the latest additive manufacturing equipment will be deployed more widely among the navy. You can read a US Navy presentation on the Afloat program at this link.

Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Latest posts

Improving Metal Post-Processing with Pulsed Electrochemical Machining

Thanks to 3D printing, manufacturing has been graced with reduced costs, material waste, and faster design iteration, especially in the metal AM sector.... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Improving Metal Post-Processing with Pulsed Electrochemical Machining

Pentagon Sees AM as Key to Hypersonic Weapons

In a recent webinar, a Department of Defence official has expressed how 3D printing will aid hypersonic weapons production for the Pentagon. Keith... read more »

Military
Pentagon Sees AM as Key to Hypersonic Weapons

Transforming Earbuds into Brain Activity Monitors using 3D Printing

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have successfully morphed ordinary earbuds into sophisticated devices capable of recording the brain's electrical activity.... read more »

Electronics
Transforming Earbuds into Brain Activity Monitors using 3D Printing

3D Printing Resurrects the Aztec Death Whistle

For those seeking a unique way to ring in this Halloween, the revival of an ancient Aztec Death Whistle, often termed as the... read more »

News
3D Printing Resurrects the Aztec Death Whistle

Create It Real’s Quest for Quality 3D Printing

Danish company Create It Real is on a mission to help manufacturers using 3D printing to create not only end use products, but... read more »

News
Create It Real’s Quest for Quality 3D Printing

Engineer 3D Prints Vibratory Feeder

As a manufacturing engineer with some background in automated industrial processes, it is pleasing to see that someone has turned their additive manufacturing... read more »

News
Engineer 3D Prints Vibratory Feeder

Danish Rail Company Using Prusa Filament to Repair Trains

In a world marked by disposability, Knorr-Bremse Rail System Denmark is forging a sustainable path by refurbishing trains and maximizing every component's potential.... read more »

News
Danish Rail Company Using Prussa Filament to Repair Trains

Automotive Robot Gets New Life Printing Houses in Detroit

Detroit, a city scarred by industrial decline and bankruptcy, is making a comeback with the introduction of its first 3D printed home. Designed... read more »

Construction
Automotive Robot Gets New Life Printing Houses in Detroit

Researchers 3D Print Beating Heart Ventricle

Researchers from Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have successfully... read more »

Medical
Researchers 3D Print Beating Heart Ventricle

Makers Build Mobile Maker Space Equipped with 3D Printer

In a world where camper van conversions have evolved from simple DIY projects to complex feats of engineering, a couple named Ladi and... read more »

News
Makers Build Mobile Maker Space Equipped with 3D Printer

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Twitter Twitter 3D Printing
sidebar image
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Hands-On Review: The Mole 3D Scanner Hands-On Review: The Mole 3D Scanner Learn More
  • Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Learn More

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing
We serve cookies on this site to analyze traffic, remember your preferences, and optimize your experience.
Details
Close