AML3D delivers AM components for testing on US Virginia-class nuclear submarines
January 6, 2025
AML3D Limited, headquartered in Edinburgh, Australia, has announced the delivery of a Copper-Nickel component order for the US Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear submarine programme. The prototype tailpiece components, valued at approximately AUS $156,000, have been supplied for testing and in-service trials on board a Virginia-class nuclear submarine. The successful completion of this component order demonstrates how AML3D’s proprietary Additive Manufacturing technology supports the establishment of a resilient trilateral AUKUS supply chain.
AML3D’s advanced Additive Manufacturing technology is delivering a step change in production efficiency and component quality for the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base. The Virginia-class submarine prototype tailpiece components were additively manufactured in less than five weeks compared to an average 17-month lead-time via traditional manufacturing. Over the past two years, AML3D has partnered with the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program and BlueForge Alliance to meet emergent material readiness needs for US submarines and integrate metallic Additive Manufacturing as an alternative solution to support critical supply chain gaps and constraints.
AML3D’s successful delivery of this Virginia-class tailpiece component demonstrates how Australian suppliers are being leveraged to contribute under a tri-lateral industrial base model. AML3D’s contribution to support the AUKUS partnership has been recognised by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, who said, “Production of a US Virginia-class Submarine component in Australia is a great example that AUKUS is happening now, and demonstrates our commitment toward supporting expansion of the trilateral industrial base. Australia’s Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program and the AUKUS partnership will provide incredible opportunities for Australia’s industry, and these opportunities have already started.”
This follows the US Program Executive Office Attack Submarines, Admiral Jonathan Rucker’s noted contribution by AML3D to US Navy efforts. He spoke ahead of the Submarine League Conference in November, revealing he had received an email asking for his formal approval on one of AML3D’s engineering drawings.
“Collaboration in this space is critical to our ability to build and sustain Virginia-class submarines now and for the next many decades. Through partnerships like the one with AML3D, we are creating resiliency and robustness domestically as well as in critical areas of Naval operation,” Admiral Rucker commented.
AML3D CEO Sean Ebert said, “AML3D has been working with the US Navy and its partners for close to two years. In that time, we have created a successful model that includes cross-continental coordination, information sharing, and the deployment of our ARCEMY advanced 3D metal printing technology across a network of US defence industry and academic experts. We have also completed several alloy testing and characterisation programs including Copper-Nickel, which allows us to supply components to the US Nuclear submarine program.”
