The US Marine Corps has successfully leveraged additive manufacturing to aid their mine-clearing missions, having 3D printed a headcap for a rocket motor used to detonate an M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge. 3D printing the headcap enabled the marines to overcome the costly and time-heavy drawbacks of traditional manufacturing techniques, and provide a more efficient method for producing the part. During the test event, the 3D printed headcap was fitted to a rocket motor that was used to successfully detonate a mine-clearing line charge. The adoption of 3D printing across the US defense sector has continued to increase, with projects underway to develop methods for 3D printing high-strength alloys, qualifying corrosion-proof materials for maritime applications, and 3D printing optimized antenna components and continuous fiber drone wings, among other things. The DoD has also partnered with binder jet 3D printer manufacturer ExOne to develop a portable 3D printing factory to address spare part production in the field, and has commissioned the building of several specialized 3D printers. The US Air Force turned to MIT spin-out Inkbit to build three 3D printing systems for use at its bases in the US, and has also contracted circuit board fabrication specialist BotFactory to develop a customized fully-automated desktop electronics 3D printer that could save millions of dollars each year in procurement costs. Featured image shows CWO2 Justin Trejo displays a 3D printed headcap for a rocket motor used to employ a M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge.

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