Two U.S. Military troopers just lately used expertise realized on the Naval Aviation College for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM) to provide vital elements throughout deployment. Specialists James Martin and Harry Vo from the tenth Mountain Division’s Allied Trades Group designed and 3D printed a mounting bracket for a Starshield communications system on mine-resistant ambush protected automobiles. The answer addressed limitations skilled by Activity Power Wolverine throughout Operation Inherent Resolve.
The customized bracket offered correct antenna positioning whereas sustaining full performance of the automobile’s emergency hatch and turret. Martin and Vo produced the prototype utilizing acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, a polymer identified for sturdiness and resistance to UV and warmth. Their manufacturing resolution decreased each manufacturing time and prices in comparison with conventional strategies.
“This profitable cross-service coaching demonstrates how AM capabilities can present rapid options to operational challenges throughout the Division of Protection,” mentioned Theodore Gronda, NAVAIR’s AM program supervisor. “When provide chains can’t ship, AM delivers.”
Whereas NASAM primarily serves Navy and Marine Corps personnel, it often accepts college students from different navy branches. The six-week program is hosted by the Institute for Superior Studying and Analysis in Danville, Virginia. Coaching focuses on equipping upkeep personnel with expertise to provide elements on website when provide chains can’t meet wants.
NASAM launched with an preliminary cohort of 12 college students in February 2024 and continues to coach navy personnel in additive manufacturing applied sciences. In accordance with Captain Alexander Peabody, senior fleet liaison for NAVAIR AM, this system goals to enhance operational readiness by offering options to produce chain disruptions even throughout peacetime.
Supply: navair.navy.mil
