When the U.S. authorities talks about provide chain safety, it’s now not theoretical. It’s now written straight into regulation and into protection contracts.
That element issues for Velo3D, which this week introduced a $32.6 million contract with the U.S. Division of Protection‘s (DoD) innovation arm to assist exchange sluggish, historically manufactured metallic components with certified 3D printed options for a essential weapons program.
The deal comes simply days after the U.S. authorities formally banned the DoD from utilizing or procuring 3D printers made in, or digitally linked to, China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea beneath the newly signed Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Yr 2026.
Collectively, these two developments present that the place protection 3D printers are made now issues as a lot as what they’ll do.
A Manufacturing Bottleneck the Pentagon Desires Gone
Velo3D’s contract was awarded by the Protection Innovation Unit (DIU), which is a part of the DoD, beneath a program known as Challenge FORGE.
Sure protection platforms nonetheless depend on historically manufactured metallic components which can be sluggish to supply and troublesome to scale. These bottlenecks restrict how briskly the navy can enhance manufacturing when demand goes up.
Beneath the settlement, Velo3D will work with the DIU, the U.S. Navy, and a significant protection prime contractor to prototype and qualify additively manufactured metallic components that may exchange components which can be sluggish and troublesome to supply.
If profitable, the strategy might permit the DoD to scale manufacturing quicker, with fewer provide chain dangers.
“We’re excited for the collaboration between DIU and trade companions like Velo3D to develop and qualify the AM resolution wanted to resolve a essential manufacturing backlog,” stated DIU Program Supervisor Derek McBride. “The mixture of DIU’s experience in quickly responding to among the DoD’s most troublesome challenges and Velo3D’s capabilities as a sophisticated additive producer is the kind of shut collaboration we’d like with our Protection Industrial Base to assist the warfighter.”
Velo3D’s AM facility in Fremont, California. Picture courtesy of Velo3D by way of LinkedIn.
Why “Made within the USA” Abruptly Grew to become Non-Negotiable
Simply three days earlier than Velo3D’s announcement, President Trump signed the FY2026 NDAA into regulation. For the primary time, additive manufacturing is handled as essential protection infrastructure.
Beneath the brand new guidelines, the DoD and its suppliers are prohibited from working or shopping for 3D printers which can be manufactured in, have software program developed in, or are networked by China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea, until a uncommon national-interest waiver is granted. The regulation additionally blocks the renewal of current contracts tied to these programs.
This implies protection contractors should now fastidiously scrutinize not solely the place their machines are constructed, but additionally the place the software program originates and the place knowledge flows.
The result’s fewer provider choices and a stronger give attention to U.S.-based additive manufacturing.
Why Velo3D Qualifies Beneath the New Guidelines
Velo3D already meets the NDAA’s new restrictions. The corporate defined that it’s the solely U.S.-based industrial-scale OEM with domestically developed laser powder mattress fusion expertise. Its Sapphire metallic 3D printers are assembled in the USA, meet DoD cybersecurity requirements, and may join securely to navy networks. And that issues now greater than ever.
“As the one U.S.-based industrial-scale OEM with domestically developed Laser Powder-Mattress Fusion expertise, Velo3D is totally honored for the chance to collaborate with the DoW, DIU, and the Navy to finally ship an answer that helps the warfighter,” stated CEO Dr. Arun Jeldi. “By our Fast Manufacturing Resolution, we’re offering quicker half supply, enhanced reliability, and the surge capability wanted to fulfill evolving protection calls for.”
The contract additionally consists of an choice to discover the largest-format LPBF functionality within the U.S., doubtlessly increasing home manufacturing with out counting on overseas programs.
Velo3D’s Arun Jeldi at Fast+TCT. Picture courtesy of Velo3D.
The NDAA doesn’t simply limit foreign-made machines; it additionally pushes the DoD to dramatically develop its use of additive manufacturing.
The regulation requires qualifying as much as a million additively manufactured components by 2027, together with parts for drones, logistics programs, and floor fight automobiles. It additionally prioritizes changing components affected by lengthy lead occasions and shrinking provider bases.
That mixture of extra additive manufacturing and fewer overseas suppliers creates a robust incentive to construct extra functionality at house. The truth is, Velo3D’s contract proves that this shift is already taking form, guaranteeing that the U.S. navy can produce essential {hardware} shortly, securely, and with out dependence on adversaries.
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