Lincoln Electric to produce mission-critical submarine components following US Navy deal
Lincoln Electric, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, has received the largest government-funded capital investment in its 130-year history, following a deal announced with the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program and General Dynamics Electric Boat.
Through MIB Program funding, Electric Boat has commissioned four SculptPrint™ 1500 robotic Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing machines, housed at Lincoln Electric’s Additive Solutions centre in Euclid, Ohio, to produce mission-critical submarine components.
“The MIB Program is charged with strengthening and expanding the shipbuilding and repair capacity our nation needs for deterrence and warfighting,” stated Matt Sermon, Executive Director of the Maritime Industrial Base Program. “By investing in Additive Manufacturing at scale, we are helping ensure our industrial base has the tools, technologies, and resilience required to meet the Navy’s mission.”
The US Navy expects the delivery of one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines each year by 2028, while sustaining its current fleet. Meeting this demand requires advanced manufacturing methods to increase throughput, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen supply chains.
Discussing the issues surrounding the supply of components, Ken Jeanos, Vice President of Supply Chain, Materials and Logistics for General Dynamics Electric Boat, added, “Material availability continues to drive construction delays across the submarine enterprise. 3D-printed parts have the potential to accelerate construction and delivery of submarines to the US Navy by cutting lead times for critical components.”
“This Maritime Industrial Base investment is a pivotal step to further unlock AM capabilities, enabling the defence industry to address complex supply chain challenges with innovative, efficient solutions,” continued Jeanos. “This partnership expands the use of AM and other innovative technologies that Electric Boat’s engineering and procurement teams have been working on for several years.”
Steven B Hedlund, chairman and CEO of Lincoln Electric, added, “This investment strengthens our partnership with Electric Boat and solidifies Lincoln Electric’s commitment to delivering transformative solutions for the defence industrial base.”
