US Defense Manufacturer, Elmet Technologies, to Streamline Supply Chain for Rapid Production of Hypersonic Vehicle Parts with 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Triple
3D Systems (DDD) and Elmet Technologies (ELMT) are advancing domestic additive manufacturing capabilities for hypersonic defense applications. The deployment of the DMP Flex 350 Triple machine represents a significant commercial win for DDD's industrial 3D printing portfolio, signaling sustained demand from the aerospace defense sector for advanced manufacturing solutions.
The collaboration underscores a broader geopolitical shift toward domestic supply chain resilience in critical defense technologies. By establishing rapid qualification and certification pathways for both equipment and specialized C103 materials in 2026, these firms are positioning themselves as essential infrastructure for next-generation weapons systems. This domestic focus reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and aligns with government procurement priorities.
For DDD, this win validates its laser powder bed fusion technology as production-grade for high-stakes aerospace applications, potentially opening larger customer pipelines among prime contractors. For ELMT, becoming a qualified producer of hypersonic vehicle components creates a defensible, high-margin revenue stream with multi-year government contracts likely to follow certification.
Sector implication: The Industrials and Technology sectors benefit from accelerated capital deployment in defense manufacturing. Additive manufacturing for aerospace represents a secular growth vector, particularly where speed-to-production and supply chain sovereignty drive procurement decisions. This trend favors specialized equipment manufacturers and advanced materials suppliers.