Velo3D, Inc., a leader in metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology, today announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with two Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) federal laboratories, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC East), to advance additive manufacturing capabilities for the aerospace and defense sectors.

Under the terms of the four-year agreement, Velo3D will collaborate with NAWCAD and FRC East to explore and characterize advanced materials tailored for military flight hardware. The partnership aims to enhance the understanding of AM for production of complex, high-performance components used in military aircraft and systems, ensuring these parts meet the rigorous standards required for defense operations.

"This CRADA with NAWCAD and FRC East represents a significant milestone in advancing our ability to provide precise, repeatable and scalable additive manufacturing solutions for the defense industry," Arun Jeldi, Chief Executive Officer for Velo3D. "By focusing on engineering-driven solutions, we are helping to bridge the gap toward qualifying AM flight hardware and enabling the production of mission-critical parts that meet the stringent reliability and performance demands of defense applications."

The collaboration will leverage Velo3D's advanced metal 3D printing capabilities, including its Sapphire family of printers, which are designed for high-precision, high-performance parts. Velo3D's engineering team will work closely with NAWCAD and FRC East's technical experts to characterize and understand the manufacturing processes, developing applications and printing techniques that can meet the demanding qualification requirements and the real-world conditions of military applications. The goal is to understand this advanced manufacturing capability that can produce part designs that not only meet the military's rigorous performance standards but also allow for rapid iteration, cost efficiency and flexibility in production.

"The collaboration brings together the shared expertise of NAVAIR and Velo3D to develop and expand the application of additive manufacturing technology for sustainment of Naval aviation platforms," Paul Charron, Additive Manufacturing Lead, Fleet Readiness Center East, NAVAIR. "The utilization of advanced technology, such as AM, drives positive fleet outcomes including improved mission readiness and increased system performance."