U.S. Navy Scales Up Additive Manufacturing for Critical Sub Parts

U.S. Navy Scales Up Additive Manufacturing for Critical Sub Parts

Welding equipment manufacturer Lincoln Electric has been a big player in U.S. Navy shipbuilding since at least the Second World War, when a massive construction effort drove demand for its arc welding technology. Today, it has also become a leading player in 3D metal printing, not by selling equipment, but by manufacturing printed parts from start to finish - and once again the Navy is tapping Lincoln's technology to accelerate shipbuilding need…

U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Program, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Lincoln Electric Advance Additive Manufacturing to Strengthen Submarine Production

From Lincoln Electric  WASHINGTON & CLEVELAND, Sept. 30, 2025 — The U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Lincoln Electric today announced an investment to accelerate the integration of additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, into the construction of nuclear-powered submarines.   America must deliver one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack subm…

US Navy MIB Program to accelerate integration of additive manufacturing into construction of nuclear-powered submarines

Through the programme, General Dynamics Electric Boat will source critical components from Lincoln Electric’s large-scale metal additive manufacturing capability.

Lincoln Electric partners with U.S. Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat to advance additive manufacturing for submarines

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is expected to play a vital role in reducing construction delays and component lead times across the submarine enterprise. “Material availability continues to drive construction delays across the submarine enterprise,” said Ken Jeanos, vice president of Supply Chain, Materials and Logistics for General Dynamics Electric Boat. “3D-printed parts have the potential to accelerate construction and de…