3D Systems Gets Another $9 Million From the Air Force for Large-Format Metal Printing

Program funding grows to $27.4 million

The US Air Force has given 3D Systems an additional $9 million to keep its large-format metal 3D printing program moving. The award extends the Large-Format Metal 3D Printer Advanced Technology Demonstrator effort for two more years.

Total project funding now sits at $27.4 million. The original 2023 award was $10.8 million, and a second tranche of $7.65 million followed in 2025.

What the program is building

The GEN-II DMP-1000 program is focused on large-scale, high-temperature metal 3D printing for flight-relevant applications. 3D Systems is working toward a system with a build volume around 1000mm in at least one dimension, based on the naming and the 500mm-cubed build volume of its current DMP Factory 500.

Work will continue at the company's San Diego, California and Rock Hill, South Carolina facilities.

Defense and hypersonics context

3D Systems has not shared many technical details publicly, which is typical for defense programs. Dr. Michael Shepard, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense, said the award reflects the Air Force's confidence in the technology and the team.

The program sits alongside other defense additive manufacturing efforts, including Elmet Technologies' work with 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Triple printers to produce heat exchangers for hypersonic vehicles. That nearby project uses a niobium-based alloy called C103 and is targeting production this year.

While the hypersonics budget has fluctuated in recent years, the Pentagon continues to fund large-format metal printing as a way to produce rocket and missile components faster and with less reliance on traditional supply chains.