The US Army is moving manufacturing closer to the frontline, with a University of Tennessee (UT) demo showing units can 3D-print metal parts and drone gear on demand.
Just recently, soldiers and researchers gathered at the Knoxville Armory to see the latest in expeditionary 3D printing and drone technology.
The event brought together the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment and Field Maintenance Shop-2 of the Tennessee Army National Guard, alongside researchers from the US Army’s DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and UT.
The demo highlighted cold spray additive manufacturing, a process that uses metal powder to produce critical components on-site, reducing reliance on traditional supply chains.
UT researchers embedded an expeditionary 3D printer at the Armory to show how these systems could support operational army units by 2026, in line with a directive from the Secretary of Defense.
Beyond Cold Spray
Attendees also observed heat treatment and machining processes developed by UT and global metal additive manufacturing supplier SPEE3D, which enable finishing and installation of 3D-printed parts and lithium-ion drone packs.
UT researchers are also developing a “commander’s playbook” to give military leaders clear guidance on trade-offs between production time and part performance with a high degree of confidence.
The project reflects a five-year partnership between UT and DEVCOM ARL aimed at advancing materials science and operational manufacturing capabilities for the army.
“We excel in metallurgy, advanced materials, materials processing, and material characterization,” said Katherine Page, professor of materials science and engineering at UT.
“The cold spray technology is an emerging area of research for us and builds on our proven experience combining manufacturing and machining with materials science.”
