3D Printing in the Army: Here’s how

<

h1>3D Printing in the Army, Military Applications

<

h1>

DON’T CLICK OUT YET, I know this type of article is a bit clichéd and usually points out the dangers of 3D printing (i.e. the power to create anything). But, this is not the case here, at all.

3D Printing can create anything. Thus it is no surprise that the military (especially the United States’ one) already utilizes it, and has already made several breakthroughs. Here is a compiled list of all uses that the military has found, up to date, for 3D Printing (plus some other possibilities for it in the end).

Okay, we cannot print a War Machine or Iron Man suit, yet, or an exoskeleton, but there are also interesting and noteworthy uses.

I am pretty sure that while researching this I got into an NSA watch list.

---

1. Guns & Gun Parts – 3D Printing in the Army

Of course every article about the military uses of 3D printing should start with 3D Printable weaponry. Plus, we have gone a long way since that one 3D Printable gun that has been floating around the web. Now, we can print full-fledged and working AR-15 rifles (or, at least, modifications of it, including parts of the main body and firing mechanism), and a 1911 semi-automatic pistol.

It is fascinating how designers and engineers managed to handle the pressures and temperatures that occur during the firing of a bullet with materials similar to Lego bricks.

2. Soldier equipment – 3D Printing in the Army

We use 3D Printing to repair stuff all the time, be that cars, watches, you name it. Why would the military not do exactly the same thing? Instead of waiting for a new car part or helmet mount or any add-on, they can just print it; always assuming that plastic is a suitable substitute.

3. Bullets – 3D Printing in the Army

Yes, this is a thing. Though I am not sure whether they are used by the actual military, they are here and they work. Simple 9mm 3D Printed bullets can go supersonic with the right amount of gunpowder, stay in one piece, until they hit their target at least, and are fairly accurate, considering they are made of plastic on a low-end 3D FDM Printer. If you need to see it for yourselves, here is a video.

4. Drones (Not Quad copters) – 3D Printing in the Army

Recent news from Russia: In June they unveiled their first 3D Printed Surveillance drone. It was not only a static model, but it was the one that can fly in an operational radius of 50km. It weighs 1.8 kg, takes 1 day to print and 20 minutes to assemble. For the military, using such a device before a mission execution, surveillance, or tactical espionage, is a no brainer. It is very cheap, very light, and extremely disposable and re-buildable. Note that such a drone is a first because it follows the design style of the “Predator” UAV. Partially 3D Printed drones have already seen and are currently seeing wide use within and outside military contexts.

5. Robots – 3D Printing in the Army

What if, instead of sending people to scan an area, deal with a hostage situation, or defusing a bomb, we could send a robot? And what if that robot can be 3D Printed? (Its skeleton at least, the electronics cannot, as of yet, be 3D Printed). Well, this can happen, and has already happened. While robots with such functions are not a new concept, idea, or invention, 3D Printable ones, like ones from Boston Dynamics.
I mean, we all have seen that one human-like robot we all can make and 3D print at home right? It is not that difficult to think that the military, that has many more millions to spend than any of us, could develop that concept even more and make a robot with skills comparable to those of humans.