The USS Bataan sent five engineering department sailors to a three-dimensional printing course where they were taught to design and manufacture objects utilizing newly installed additive manufacturing equipment onboard the USS Bataan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew F. Brown)

Deployed Capabilities

Delivering Solutions to the Edge of Operations

APL delivers advanced manufacturing solutions that address specific challenges in defense and aerospace sectors. By collaborating with government and industry partners, APL ensures these technologies are effectively integrated into operational environments, enhancing mission readiness and capability.​

Mission

Additive Parts for Space Systems

3D-printed hardware for orbit-ready missions

Rapid Tooling for Defense Prototyping

Fast, field-ready tools for mission success

On-Demand Manufacturing at Sea

Portable printing tech for naval platforms

Featured Work

Machinery Repairman 1st Class Cory Hover demonstrates the software used to design the sprayer plate

Enhancing Naval Readiness with Onboard 3D Printing Solutions

Implementing onboard 3D printing systems to enable ships to produce essential parts at sea, thereby enhancing operational readiness and reducing maintenance delays
Learn more about Enhancing Naval Readiness with Onboard 3D Printing Solutions
Jovian Energetic Neutrals and Ions (JENI) instrument and the Jovian Energetic Electrons (JoEE) detectors

JoEE/JENI Outer Moons

The Jovian Energetic Neutrals and Ions (JENI) and the Jovian Energetic Electrons (JoEE) detectors will “see” the invisible, super-heated plasma and gas around Jupiter and its icy moons.
Learn more about JoEE/JENI
Example of AI-guided AR repair

AI/AR-Guided Electronic Repair

Combining artificial intelligence and augmented reality to troubleshoot and maintain complex systems
Learn more about AI/AR-Guided Electronic Repair
Image of Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) flight hardware

Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT)

Advancing hypersonic vehicle design through boundary layer transition research
Learn more about Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT)
Sailors aboard the USS Chosin conduct a demonstration of the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) with the USNS Washington Chambers on Oct. 11 in the Pacific Ocean. (Credit: U.S. Navy)

Reloading Vertical Launching Systems at Sea

APL is addressing one of the Navy’s most persistent logistical challenges: reloading vertical launching systems at sea.
Learn more about Reloading Vertical Launching Systems at Sea

First, we had the installation of the printer itself, which was a huge upgrade in technology for the ship; and then we had service members use digital modeling applications and tools that we trained them on, and now they’re producing fully functional parts. We’re looking forward to continuing to learn and support one another, and improve maritime logistics for the Navy.

Drew Seker Senior Mechanical Engineer
Drew Seker

Related Areas of Impact

Advanced Manufacturing Biology and Bioengineering Next-Generation Materials Space Science and Engineering

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