Science & Technology — 2026-03-18
America Makes Launches $35M DoD Additive Manufacturing Project Call
America Makes and NCDMM announced two project calls totaling $35M+ to strengthen the defense industrial base through additive manufacturing. The DoD FY2026 budget allocates $3.3B for AM-related projects, an 83% increase year-over-year. AM is now classified as critical defense infrastructure under the FY2026 NDAA, which also bans DoD procurement of 3D printers made in or digitally connected to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
Analysis
The 83% YoY increase in DoD AM spending and new classification as critical defense infrastructure reflects lessons from the Iran war supply chain -- the NDAA ban on Chinese/Russian/Iranian-connected 3D printers signals the sector's securitization.
The 83% YoY increase in DoD AM spending and new classification as critical defense infrastructure reflects lessons from the Iran war supply chain -- the NDAA ban on Chinese/Russian/Iranian-connected 3D printers signals the sector's securitization.