AML3D supplies component for Virginia-class nuclear submarines

Australian company AML3D has successfully delivered a component for the US Navy‘s Virginia Class nuclear submarine program. The delivered prototype is a copper-nickel stern component with a contract value of approximately AUD 156,000. The component was provided for testing and commissioning trials on board a Virginia Class submarine. This delivery demonstrates the potential of AML3D’s proprietary additive manufacturing technology to support a robust trilateral supply chain under the Australia-UK-USA AUCUS alliance.

The component was produced in less than five weeks using ARCEMY 3D metal printing technology. This is in stark contrast to the average 17 months required for conventional manufacturing methods. Over the past two years, AML3D has worked closely with the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) program and the BlueForge Alliance to develop alternative manufacturing solutions for critical supply shortages in submarine construction. This collaboration demonstrates how additive manufacturing technologies can be used to increase material availability and production flexibility in the defense industry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, said, “Production of a U.S. Virginia-Class Submarine component in Australia is a great example that AUKUS is happening now, and demonstrates our commitment toward supporting expansion of the trilateral industrial base. Australia’s Nuclear- Powered Submarine Program and the AUKUS partnership will provide incredible opportunities for Australia’s industry, and these opportunities have already started.”

“Collaboration in this space is critical to our ability to build and sustain Virginia Class submarines now and for the next many decades. Through partnerships like the one with AML3D, we are creating resiliency and robustness domestically as well as in critical areas of Naval operation,” Admiral Rucker commented.

AML3D CEO Sean Ebert said: “AML3D has been working with the U.S. Navy and its partners for close to two years. In that time, we have created a successful model that includes cross-continental coordination, information sharing, and the deployment of our ARCEMY advanced 3D metal printing technology across a network of U.S. defense industry and academic experts. We have also completed several alloy testing and characterisation programs including Copper-Nickel, which allows us to supply components to the U.S. Nuclear submarine program.”

This collaboration includes material characterization and production of components for the US Navy’s nuclear program and highlights the potential of additive manufacturing in the safety-critical area.