Velo3D, Inc. (OTCQX: VLDX), a company specializing in metal additive manufacturing (AM), has entered into a four-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with two key Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) federal laboratories: the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC East). This collaboration aims to advance the use of additive manufacturing in aerospace and defense, focusing on developing and characterizing advanced materials for military flight systems.
The partnership between Velo3D and NAVAIR labs is designed to deepen the understanding of how metal 3D printing can be applied to produce complex, high-performance components that meet the strict requirements of defense applications. Additive manufacturing, which builds parts layer by layer, offers unique advantages in design flexibility and production efficiency, but its adoption in military hardware has been limited by the need for rigorous qualification and reliability standards.
Velo3D’s CEO, Arun Jeldi, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in enhancing the company’s ability to deliver precise, repeatable, and scalable AM solutions tailored for defense. The goal is to bridge the gap between prototype and production, enabling the manufacture of mission-critical parts that satisfy the demanding performance and reliability standards of military flight systems.
At the heart of this collaboration is Velo3D’s advanced metal 3D printing technology, particularly its Sapphire series of printers. These machines are engineered to produce high-precision, high-performance metal parts that are difficult or impossible to manufacture using traditional methods. Velo3D’s integrated solution includes Flow print preparation software and the Assure quality control system, which together ensure consistent, repeatable results across different printers without the need for extensive re-optimization.
The joint effort will involve close cooperation between Velo3D’s engineering team and the technical experts at NAWCAD and FRC East. Together, they will explore material characteristics, refine manufacturing processes, and develop applications that meet the stringent qualification requirements for military use. This approach aims to unlock the full potential of additive manufacturing in producing flight hardware that can withstand real-world operational conditions.
Paul Charron, Additive Manufacturing Lead at FRC East, highlighted how this collaboration leverages the combined expertise of NAVAIR and Velo3D to expand additive manufacturing’s role in sustaining naval aviation platforms. He noted that adopting advanced AM technology can lead to improved mission readiness and enhanced system performance, which are critical for defense operations.
Velo3D has been a pioneer in overcoming the limitations that have historically constrained metal additive manufacturing. Traditional metal AM has struggled with issues such as limited design freedom and inconsistent quality, restricting its use to niche applications. Velo3D’s technology enables engineers to design and produce complex metal parts that were previously impossible to manufacture, opening new possibilities across industries including space exploration, aviation, energy, and semiconductors.
Since delivering its first Sapphire system in 2018, Velo3D has partnered with leading innovators such as SpaceX, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin, Avio, and General Motors. The company’s vertically integrated ecosystem, from design software to printers and quality control, supports scalable production and supply chain flexibility, allowing customers to respond dynamically to changing demand.
This CRADA marks a significant step forward in integrating advanced additive manufacturing into aerospace and defense manufacturing. By collaborating with NAVAIR’s NAWCAD and FRC East labs, Velo3D is positioned to help the military qualify and produce complex flight hardware with improved performance, reliability, and cost efficiency. As additive manufacturing continues to evolve, partnerships like this will be crucial in driving innovation and operational readiness in defense sectors.
