When the U.S. authorities talks about provide chain safety, it’s now not theoretical. It’s now written instantly into legislation and into protection contracts.
That element issues for Velo3D, which this week introduced a $32.6 million contract with the U.S. Division of Protection‘s (DoD) innovation arm to assist change sluggish, historically manufactured steel components with certified 3D printed options for a important weapons program.
The deal comes simply days after the U.S. authorities formally banned the DoD from utilizing or procuring 3D printers made in, or digitally related to, China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea below the newly signed Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal 12 months 2026.
Collectively, these two developments present that the place protection 3D printers are made now issues as a lot as what they’ll do.
A Manufacturing Bottleneck the Pentagon Desires Gone
Velo3D’s contract was awarded by way of the Protection Innovation Unit (DIU), which is a part of the DoD, below a program referred to as Mission FORGE.
Sure protection platforms nonetheless depend on historically manufactured steel components which might be sluggish to supply and tough to scale. These bottlenecks restrict how briskly the army can improve manufacturing when demand goes up.
Beneath the settlement, Velo3D will work with the DIU, the U.S. Navy, and a serious protection prime contractor to prototype and qualify additively manufactured steel components that may change components which might be sluggish and tough to supply.
If profitable, the strategy might enable the DoD to scale manufacturing quicker, with fewer provide chain dangers.
“We’re excited for the collaboration between DIU and business companions like Velo3D to develop and qualify the AM resolution wanted to resolve a important manufacturing backlog,” mentioned DIU Program Supervisor Derek McBride. “The mix of DIU’s experience in quickly responding to among the DoD’s most tough challenges and Velo3D’s capabilities as a sophisticated additive producer is the kind of shut collaboration we want with our Protection Industrial Base to help the warfighter.”
Velo3D’s AM facility in Fremont, California. Picture courtesy of Velo3D through LinkedIn.
Why “Made within the USA” Abruptly Turned Non-Negotiable
Simply three days earlier than Velo3D’s announcement, President Trump signed the FY2026 NDAA into legislation. For the primary time, additive manufacturing is handled as important protection infrastructure.
Beneath the brand new guidelines, the DoD and its suppliers are prohibited from working or shopping for 3D printers which might be manufactured in, have software program developed in, or are networked by way of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea, except a uncommon national-interest waiver is granted. The legislation additionally blocks the renewal of current contracts tied to these methods.
This implies protection contractors should now fastidiously scrutinize not solely the place their machines are constructed, but additionally the place the software program originates and the place knowledge flows.
The result’s fewer provider choices and a stronger give attention to U.S.-based additive manufacturing.
Why Velo3D Qualifies Beneath the New Guidelines
Velo3D already meets the NDAA’s new restrictions. The corporate defined that it’s the solely U.S.-based industrial-scale OEM with domestically developed laser powder mattress fusion expertise. Its Sapphire steel 3D printers are assembled in america, meet DoD cybersecurity requirements, and may join securely to army networks. And that issues now greater than ever.
“As the one U.S.-based industrial-scale OEM with domestically developed Laser Powder-Mattress Fusion expertise, Velo3D is completely honored for the chance to collaborate with the DoW, DIU, and the Navy to finally ship an answer that helps the warfighter,” mentioned CEO Dr. Arun Jeldi. “Via our Fast Manufacturing Answer, we’re offering quicker half supply, enhanced reliability, and the surge capability wanted to fulfill evolving protection calls for.”
The contract additionally contains an choice to discover the largest-format LPBF functionality within the U.S., doubtlessly increasing home manufacturing with out counting on overseas methods.
Velo3D’s Arun Jeldi at Fast+TCT. Picture courtesy of Velo3D.
The NDAA doesn’t simply prohibit foreign-made machines; it additionally pushes the DoD to dramatically develop its use of additive manufacturing.
The legislation requires qualifying as much as a million additively manufactured components by 2027, together with elements for drones, logistics methods, and floor fight automobiles. It additionally prioritizes changing components affected by lengthy lead instances and shrinking provider bases.
That mixture of extra additive manufacturing and fewer overseas suppliers creates a strong incentive to construct extra functionality at dwelling. The truth is, Velo3D’s contract proves that this shift is already taking form, making certain that the U.S. army can produce important {hardware} shortly, securely, and with out dependence on adversaries.
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