FREMONT, CA, Jan 20, 2026 – Velo3D has entered a “Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)” with U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) to develop and qualify additively manufactured parts and assemblies. The effort targets supply chain gaps affecting ground combat vehicles and military systems, with prototype AM parts intended for insertion upon completion.
“We are excited for this collaboration between GVSC and Velo3D to identify solutions that will rapidly improve the resilience to the Army’s combat vehicle supply chain. The combination of GVSC’s expertise and long history of advancing vehicle technology for the US. Army, with Velo3D’s proven capabilities as an industry leader in advanced additive manufacturing is sure to deliver the solutions the warfighter needs,” said Mr. Brandon Pender, associate director, GVSC materials engineering.
Under CRADA, Velo3D applies its Rapid Production Solution (RPS) to prototype parts as alternatives to traditional subtractive manufacturing. The agreement includes assessing Velo3D-qualified alloys on Sapphire printers. Velo3D’s RPS combines platform capability, production expertise, and surge capacity to support part production aligned with Army efforts to address supply chain challenges.
“Velo3D is proud to be the first U.S.-based industrial scale OEM with domestically developed Laser Powder-Bed Fusion additive manufacturing technologies to additively manufacture alternatives for the U.S. Army’s ground vehicle supply chains,” said Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. “Through our Rapid Production Solution, we are helping provide faster part delivery, enhanced reliability, and the surge capacity needed to meet evolving defense demands.”
Velo3D assembles all Sapphire printers in the United States and enables repeatable production of parts up to 600 mm wide and 1 meter tall across the fleet. The added build volume expands application scope for larger components while maintaining LPBF features, including high-fidelity printing and layer-by-layer process monitoring.
Through this partnership, Velo3D supports U.S. Army maintenance modernization by addressing repair delays that affect the Army’s combat vehicle fleet readiness.
Source: Velo3D
About the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center
U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center is the Army’s research and engineering organization for ground vehicle technologies. Based at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, MI, the center develops, tests, and integrates capabilities across the full vehicle lifecycle, from design and prototyping to sustainment and modernization. Its work spans ground mobility, protection, power and electrification, robotics, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, supported by modeling and simulation and full-scale vehicle testing. The center traces its origins to 1946 and evolved from Army ground vehicle research organizations, including TARDEC. Its customers include the U.S. Army, other DoD organizations, federal agencies, and allied defense partners. The center also supports cooperative programs with foreign military organizations. It serves more than 60 global customers, including government agencies and partner nations.
About Velo3D
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Fremont, CA, Velo3D is a technology company specializing in integrated metal additive manufacturing solutions. The company offers advanced 3D printing systems, including the Sapphire family of printers, Flow pre-print software, and Assure quality assurance software, enabling the production of complex, mission-critical components. Velo3D serves the aerospace, defense, energy, and automotive industries, with clients including SpaceX, Honeywell, and Lam Research. As of January 2025, the company employs approximately 240 people.