(U.S. Navy: Washington, D.C.) -- Is it possible to produce parts and equipment from scratch for sailors—aboard ships and on demand?

Can the Navy rush-deliver parts and high-tech gear such as customized unmanned systems, avionics components, and improvised explosive device detectors to its war fighters?

“Yes we can,” say Navy officials. When additive manufacturing—also known as 3D printing—fully hits the fleet, sailors could receive their orders within a substantially reduced time frame.

Remarkably, sailors and Marines are already inventing new products, expanding the realm of possibilities made real by 3D printing while saving time, resources, and money.

John Burrow, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, test and evaluation, recently addressed a gathering of 3D printing exhibitors and visitors at the Dept. of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Showcase.

“Additive manufacturing will fundamentally change how we think, how we do business, the cost variable, and how we make decisions,” said Burrow. “I think you are about to see its operational and technical potential literally explode off the map.”

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