The US military is exploring ways to secure intellectual property for critical technologies like weapon systems. Additive manufacturing offers a solution, but contractors are concerned about handing over their IP.
Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries unveiled the first flight of their autonomous strike aircraft, Venom, in just 71 days. The prototype features a fully digital design and additive manufacturing process, reducing part count and eliminating traditional tooling.
The US Army is facing challenges in its sustainment costs, particularly with regards to non-mission capable tanks. Advanced manufacturing techniques can produce parts quickly, but current policies limit their use due to funding and pricing constraints.