Velo3D Partners with NAVAIR to Advance Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace and Defense!

Velo3D, a leader in metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology, has announced a major milestone in its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The partnership, which spans four years, involves collaboration with two of NAVAIR’s federal laboratories: the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC East). This initiative aims to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing to meet the unique demands of aerospace and defense sectors, specifically focusing on military flight hardware.

The primary objective of the CRADA is to explore and characterize advanced materials tailored for military flight hardware. Velo3D will work alongside NAVAIR’s technical experts to further develop additive manufacturing processes and printing techniques that can produce complex, high-performance components. These components must meet the exacting standards required for military aircraft and defense systems, ensuring that they are capable of performing under the most demanding conditions.

Velo3D’s cutting-edge technology, including its Sapphire family of printers, will play a pivotal role in this collaboration. These printers are designed to create high-precision, high-performance metal parts that meet the stringent reliability and performance demands of military applications. By leveraging Velo3D’s capabilities, the project aims to drive rapid iteration of designs, increase cost efficiency, and enhance production flexibility—critical factors in defense manufacturing.

Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This CRADA with NAWCAD and FRC East represents a significant milestone in advancing our ability to provide precise, repeatable and scalable additive manufacturing solutions for the defense industry. By focusing on engineering-driven solutions, we are helping to bridge the gap toward qualifying AM flight hardware and enabling the production of mission-critical parts.”

The project also aims to increase mission readiness and system performance for Naval aviation platforms. According to Paul Charron, Additive Manufacturing Lead at FRC East, “The collaboration brings together the shared expertise of NAVAIR and Velo3D to develop and expand the application of additive manufacturing technology for sustainment of Naval aviation platforms. The utilization of advanced technology, such as AM, drives positive fleet outcomes, including improved mission readiness and increased system performance.”

The collaboration between Velo3D and NAVAIR is expected to push the envelope of what is possible in aerospace manufacturing. By using additive manufacturing, the production of critical components can become faster, more flexible, and more sustainable compared to traditional methods. The ability to produce complex parts without the limitations of traditional manufacturing processes could significantly enhance military capabilities while also providing long-term cost savings.

Through this partnership, Velo3D continues to cement its position as a key player in the evolution of metal 3D printing. With its innovative technologies, Velo3D is enabling engineers in space exploration, aviation, energy, and defense to bring their most complex designs to life. This collaboration with NAVAIR represents another step toward unlocking new possibilities in defense manufacturing.