FREMONT, CA, June 9, 2025 – Velo3D has 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 four-year agreement, Velo3D will work with NAWCAD and FRC East to study advanced materials for use in military flight hardware. The partnership focuses on evaluating additive manufacturing processes to produce complex components that meet the operational and reliability standards required in military and 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 metal 3D printing technology, including its Sapphire printers. Velo3D’s engineering team will work with technical experts from NAWCAD and FRC East to study the manufacturing processes. They will develop applications and printing methods that meet the qualification standards, and the conditions found in military applications. The goal is to assess additive manufacturing methods that align with defense performance standards and support prototyping, cost control, and supply chain flexibility for aerospace applications.
“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.”
Source: Velo3D
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. In the trailing twelve months ending June 30, 2024, Velo3D reported revenues of $46 million.