Breakthrough in the U.S. military industry: The Pentagon has awarded a contract for 3D printing explosives.

The American company Supernova Industries has signed a $2 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for 3D printing explosives for munitions and solid rocket fuels.

Source. This is reported by the portal Defense Express.

Taking into account the total value of the contract, it is currently experimental.

The technology developed by Supernova Industries allows for printing mixtures through lamination and the addition of their proprietary additive, which causes them to harden under light. This technology is known as Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) and enables the printing of materials with unlimited viscosity.

The video indicates that the company is already working with APCP mixtures – a solid rocket fuel based on ammonium perchlorate, as well as with RDX explosives – hexogen. Additionally, the company has stated that it is also developing its own "energy formulas."

As reported by the portal, in November 2024, the U.S. will resume explosives production after a 38-year hiatus. This will require $435 million, but full-scale operations are expected to commence around 2028.

Background. It has also been reported that the U.S. will develop a new secret long-range missile, ERAM, for Ukraine. Some key parameters have been disclosed, including a missile range of 463 km and plans to produce 1,000 units by 2026.