Can 3D Printing Rescue the Sinking US Sub Fleet Amidst Manufacturing Woes and Improving Labor Situation?
The US Navy is turning to additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to address manufacturing challenges and meet the demand for new submarines. With the goal of building one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines every year for the next decade, the Navy is commissioning activities to mature metal additive manufacturing. The Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, is at the heart of this effort, seeking to expand the supply chain for submarine parts by helping companies adopt metal 3D printing. The Navy aims to print metal parts as standard components for installation on new-construction submarines, increasing capacity, improving quality, and reducing production time. However, there are still technical challenges and the need to qualify and certify the technology for critical parts. The Navy is working on creating a network of printing partners and a digital order book to manage the workload, but industry participation and workforce development are also crucial for success.