Following the successful one-year trial of additive manufacturing (AM) technology aboard aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) employees, in collaboration with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division employees, continue to support current trials on different ship classes.
“Additive manufacturing technology will be part of the Navy’s future,” said. Dr. E. Michael Golda, NSWCPD’s Chief Technology Officer. “On-demand shipboard AM could increase self-sufficiency by eliminating the wait for long lead time replacement parts. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is taking a step-wise approach to implement shipboard AM.”
CVN 74’s trial successfully demonstrated that printing underway was possible by providing a shipboard environment necessary to create quality parts.
NSWCPD is now helping to support an AM trial which includes eight new ships in total, including three Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport ship, a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship, and two Wasp-class amphibious assault ships.