
The U.S. Navy recently revealed that it has issued Stratasys, a leader in polymer 3D printing solutions, a $20 million contract to purchase up to 25 Stratasys F900 FDM 3D printers over the next five years, with delivery of the first eight expected before the end of 2021. In addition to the printers, the contract includes initial support and sustainment, materials, and development of initial training for the supplied systems.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a report in January 2021 outlining its additive manufacturing strategy. The report explained how manufacturing is undergoing a digital revolution, and the important role additive manufacturing can play in a shift to a digital manufacturing ecosystem.
Stratasys F900 FDM 3D Printers

The Stratasys F900 FDM 3D printers are built for manufacturing-grade production. They showcase all the power Stratasys has to offer and on a bigger scale. The 3D printer can print with the widest array of engineering-grade materials, delivers maximum throughput, has largest build platform, exhibits highest accuracy and is precision built for reliability, repeatability, and durability for demanding manufacturing production.
The goal of the U.S. Navy is towards modernisation and additive manufacturing, in particular, can help achieve that aim. Among other objectives, the DoD set a goal of integrating additive manufacturing into both the department and the broader defence industrial base, while advancing and promoting the agile use of 3D printing.
“The benefits of additive manufacturing for military organizations like the U.S. Navy include cost-effectively extending the life of strategic and tactical assets like aircraft while ensuring sustainment activities can happen quickly and from virtually anywhere. This contract, the largest government project for Stratasys to-date, continues to expand the presence of industrial 3D printing from Stratasys across the U.S. government.”
– Mark Menninger, director of U.S. Government Business Segment for Stratasys
The F900 FDM 3D printers will be located on bases in the United States and Japan with the potential to be used to produce end-use parts, tooling and training aids, as well as to assist the U.S. Navy in achieving its goal of using distributed additive manufacturing practices to maintain its fleet of aircraft across bases worldwide.
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