Additive manufacturing Printing Parts on the Frontline

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Additive manufacturing is gaining increasing application in the defence sector as governments and militaries worldwide seek to implement innovative new ways of designing, building, and operating battlefield equipment across land, sea, and air. 

There are several reasons why AM adoption is on the up. Firstly, the defence sector faces significant challenges around operational readiness – particularly when it comes to tackling obsolescence. Most ministries of defence globally have a vast fleet of ageing equipment, and budget constraints mean they have to make it last longer. Many systems date as far back as the 1980s, making it increasingly difficult to obtain the required parts. In some cases, the original equipment manufacturers no longer exist. Therefore, AM provides significant opportunities to 'print what you need', helping militaries overcome obsolescence.