November 2023

Back in September 2023, we informed our readers about the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) awarding Elementum 3D a Phase II SBIR contract. Well, now it’s time flesh out the details of the contract and how the success of this project intertwines with safeguarding U.S. citizen from emerging treats.

The Army Applications Laboratory (AAL), a part of the AFC, contracts with existing organizations to drive the Army into the future and maintain USA’s advantage on the battlefield of tomorrow. They continually search for solutions to potential logistical challenges by challenging the conventional approach and developing solutions using cutting edge commercial technology.

The specific problem the AAL wants to solve with the Phase II awarded to Elementum 3D is to develop alternative materials to support operations in a contested logistics environment. It was imperative for the AAL to award an organization capable of maturing and optimizing advanced manufacturing processes to enable printable ammunition manufacturing. Under SBIR funding agreements, the organization would research and develop the use of a high-specific stiffness aluminum metal matrix composite in housing targeting and electronics components. This effort would also investigate how to incorporate advanced manufacturing techniques to demonstrate a scalable, non-traditional approach to manufacturing supply chain materials in a forward area to enable the rapid resupply of existing systems.

AAL awarded Elementum 3D the SBIR Phase II award to leverage its previous work for the government on 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM). Fortius Metals, Elementum 3D’s sister company focusing on wire Directed Energy Deposition (DED), is also supporting the project. A month has passed since the project kicked off, but the AAL and Elementum have been engaging in quality crosstalk for the last few months leading up to the project start to move the project forward and hit the ground running.

“Since receiving the contract, AAL has received good real-time feedback from Elementum 3D. The kickoff presentation was informative, and the presentation helped highlight evolving concepts and inspired additional comments from the stakeholders present,” said MAJ T. Alex Kehler, Project Manager, Army Applications Lab.

If this project produces promising results, AAL will, as with every project, transition MVP solutions to trusted partners. Moreover, if successful, there will be access to AM munition components capable of being supplied and stored under less stringent restrictions and the disaggregated manufacture of munitions will be optimized, improving lethality on demand while reducing burden on the logistical supply chain. Additionally, the matured technologies are modular and could be tailored to multiple weapon systems and ammunition sizes to establish a responsive foundation for emerging threats and increase effectiveness.

About Army Applications Laboratory

AAL accelerates technology into the hands of warfighters by developing solutions using the cutting edge of commercial technology. Experimentation with these technologies helps Army Futures Command shape requirements, advance effective approaches to innovation, and make the Army a trusted partner for commercial innovators and investors. As part of our mission, we promote innovation best practices by developing DoD problem-solving teams and integrating an expanding pool of best-in-breed commercial solvers. Keeping with this is ultimately why Elementum 3D was selected to move forward with the additive manufacturing project.