3D Systems Gets $9M to Build a Larger Metal 3D Printer for the Air Force

The U.S. Air Force has awarded 3D Systems an additional $9 million to continue development of its large-format metal 3D printing system. The contract extends the GEN-II DMP-1000 program for two more years and raises total public funding to $27.4 million.

The program focuses on high-temperature, flight-relevant metal printing. Work will take place at 3D Systems' facilities in San Diego, California and Rock Hill, South Carolina. The goal is a printer capable of producing large metal parts that meet aerospace standards for speed and heat resistance.

Dr. Michael Shepard, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense at 3D Systems, said the award reflects continued Air Force confidence in the technology. He noted that the system is now coming together and the company expects to add partners as the platform matures.

This phase follows earlier work that began in 2023. Large-format metal printing remains expensive and technically demanding. The Air Force investment targets specific gaps: build volume, thermal management, and the ability to print flight-critical structures without post-processing bottlenecks.

If the program delivers, the result could be a domestic large-format metal printer that does not rely on imported systems or overseas powder suppliers. That is a strategic priority for the Pentagon's additive manufacturing roadmap.