On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program, in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat and Lincoln Electric, announced a significant investment to enhance the integration of additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, into the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. This investment is crucial as the U.S. requires one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines every year by 2028, all while managing the existing fleet.
To meet these ambitious targets, innovative approaches must be employed to increase production capacity, eliminate supply chain bottlenecks, and enhance overall efficiency. Additive manufacturing offers vital solutions that address these challenges by enabling quicker production of parts and improvements in supply chain resilience.
Matt Sermon, executive director of the MIB Program, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that the program aims to bolster and expand naval shipbuilding and repair capabilities necessary for national security. By significantly investing in additive manufacturing, the program ensures that the industrial base possesses the technological tools and resilience needed to fulfill the Navy’s objectives.
General Dynamics Electric Boat plans to leverage the funding from the MIB Program to procure essential components from Lincoln Electric’s newly established large-scale metal additive manufacturing capabilities, which includes four advanced SculptPrint™ machines. This marks Lincoln Electric’s most substantial government-backed investment in additive manufacturing to date, taking place at its advanced Additive Solutions facility in Cleveland.
Ken Jeanos, vice president of supply chain, materials, and logistics at General Dynamics Electric Boat, highlighted that material shortages have been a major cause of delays in submarine construction. The introduction of 3D-printed components has the potential to expedite the manufacturing process and reduce lead times for critical components, thus ensuring timely delivery to the Navy.
Jeanos further stated that the investment in the Maritime Industrial Base represents a crucial move towards fully harnessing additive manufacturing capabilities, allowing the defense sector to tackle complex supply chain issues through innovative and efficient solutions. The partnership signifies a continuation of efforts to integrate AM and other next-generation technologies into Electric Boat’s engineering and procurement workflows.
CEO Steven B. Hedlund of Lincoln Electric reinforced the partnership’s importance, asserting that this investment not only strengthens ties with Electric Boat but also highlights Lincoln Electric’s commitment to providing transformative solutions for the defense industrial base. The collaboration aims to address the increasing demands and complexity of submarine construction while enhancing the overall efficiency and resilience of the U.S. Navy’s supply chains.
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