SPEE3D Wins Military 3D Printing Award — Tennessee Army National Guard Project Cuts Repair Time from 6-10 Weeks to 24 Hours

Expeditionary 3D Printing Hits the Field

A breakthrough in military additive manufacturing just earned recognition at the highest levels. SPEE3D, in partnership with the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Army National Guard, has won the MILAM 2026 Technical Achievement Award for demonstrating that 3D printing can dramatically reduce equipment downtime in combat zones.

The team used SPEE3D's deployable cold spray capability (EMU) to design, print, heat-treat, and machine a critical Battle Lock Handle, restoring a dead-lined MRAP medevac vehicle in under 24 hours. Previously, sourcing such a part through traditional supply chains would take 6-10 weeks.

From Weeks to Hours

The demonstration proved what "right-to-repair at the point of need" looks like in practice. Rather than waiting weeks for a replacement part to arrive from a distant depot, soldiers can now manufacture critical components on-site using expeditionary 3D printing systems.

In the live mission scenario, the finished part was transported by drone to reach the disabled vehicle — showcasing how autonomous systems can support logistics in contested environments.

Why Cold Spray Matters

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) differs from traditional metal 3D printing in that it deposits metal particles at high velocity without melting them, resulting in less thermal stress on the part and faster production times. SPEE3D's expeditionary units are designed to operate in field conditions without requiring the extensive infrastructure that traditional metal 3D printers need.

Broader Implications for Defense

This award reflects a growing trend in the U.S. military to embrace additive manufacturing as a strategic capability. A directive from the Secretary of Defense calls for extending advanced manufacturing and additive manufacturing efforts to operational Army units by 2026.

The Tennessee project serves as a proof of concept that could accelerate adoption across other National Guard units and active-duty formations.