Three-dimensional (3D) printers are quickly proving to be capable of creating just about anything out of little more than thin air, and that could be the military\u2019s key to keeping an endless arsenal of drones at its disposal.<\/p>\n
\n Just as 3D-printed organs<\/a>, pizza<\/a> and even firearms<\/a> are being made with the post-modern Hobbyists and engineering students have already toyed with the \u201cFor the Navy, the technology promises to shift inventory from What kind of items? According to Llenza, just about anything.\n <\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s printers are generally limited to printing parts made Llenza went on to site recent stories where college students at \u201cThe eventual goal is a drone that flies right out of the Soon enough, he said, the Navy could likely harness that into \u201cAn organic ability to print replaceable drones from ships, A Texas college student recently made international headlines Llenza said he started talking to an Army colleague at the \u201cWe started talking about printing out ammunition, and he After chatting with researchers at a Virginia Tech laboratory The US Navy recently launched their first-ever drone from an
\n machinery, the United States military is eyeing the up-and-coming
\n technology as to further their upper-hand on the battlefield.
\n Recently, a decorated member of the US Navy made an argument for
\n adding unmanned aerial vehicles and even munitions to the list of
\n items that can be made with little more than a well-equipped
\n printer and a few clicks of a mouse.\n <\/p>\n
\n idea of using 3D printers to make unmanned aerial vehicles, or
\n drones, but the Navy could piggyback on that idea to ensure that
\n UAVs made to withstand military operations are soon a reality. In
\n an article published this month in the Armed Forces Journal, Lt.
\n Cmdr. Michael Llenza discussed what could be next in the works
\n for the Navy.\n <\/p>\n
\n the physical world to the digital one<\/i>,\u201d Llenza wrote.
\n \u201cInstead of actual parts, a ship might carry 3D printers and
\n bags of various powdered ingredients, and simply download the
\n design files needed to print items as necessary<\/i>.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n of just one material, and variance is a big issue<\/i>,\u201d he said.
\n \u201cBut the development of multiple-material devices is well
\n underway, and the technology is racing ahead<\/i>.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n the University of Virginia printed a UAV that was controlled by a
\n handheld smart phone. Scientists are still working out the kinks
\n with that technology, but it\u2019s expected to only be a short while
\n before drones done entirely using digital blueprints, a printer
\n and a moldable polymer or plastic soar through the sky.\n <\/p>\n
\n printer with electronics and motive power already in place<\/i>,\u201d
\n Llenza wrote.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n something fit for the world\u2019s most powerful military.\n <\/p>\n
\n forward operating bases or during disaster relief operations to
\n serve as targets or observation platforms could be a huge enabler
\n for sailors and Marines<\/i>,\u201d he wrote.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n after his blueprints for a gun made almost exclusively with
\n 3D-printed parts were distributed for free on the Web, prompting
\n condemnation from the likes of the US State Department and
\n congressional lawmakers. The \u201cLiberator\u201d handgun has since
\n rekindled a discussion on the Second Amendment to the US
\n Constitution, but an argument might not even arise of it if the
\n Pentagon starts printing out weaponry of its own. And according
\n to Llenza, that\u2019s exactly what\u2019s about to happen.\n <\/p>\n
\n Atlantic Council who formerly worked for the company that
\n produces the nitrocellulose and propellants for much of the US
\n arsenal and realized what exactly is in store for the future of
\n weapons manufacturing.\n <\/p>\n
\n explained that printing casings would be relatively easy, but
\n that the idea would be a nonstarter unless you could print the
\n energetic component as well<\/i>,\u201d Llenza wrote.\n <\/p>\n
\n that has more than just dabbled in drones as of late, Llenza said
\n those experts agreed that 3D-printed ammunition is indeed an
\n effort worth pursuing. And given that replacement body parts and
\n even dinner is being done using the printers, it likely will be a
\n reality sometime soon.\n <\/p>\n
\n aircraft carrier off Virginia\u2019s Atlantic coast. Previously, all
\n of the Pentagon\u2019s UAV missions were carried out by the Air Force.\n<\/p>\n