X-Bow Systems has entered a partnership with Leidos to manufacture rocket motors for the U.S. Army. The company aims to produce combat-ready engines at scale using additive manufacturing technologies. Since its founding in 2016, X-Bow has already produced over 2,100 rocket motors.
The use of 3D printing allows X-Bow to iterate designs in days, whereas traditional defense contractors typically require months or years for prototyping and testing. This approach is intended to support the production of low-cost cruise missiles for modern military requirements.
The defense sector is increasingly adopting 3D printing for various applications. A startup recently secured a $30 million contract to prototype jet engines for the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, the U.S. Navy has begun printing drone components at sea, and U.S. Army units are utilizing 3D-printed munitions for drone-based missions.
Other industry developments include static-fire tests of 3D-printed propellant by Chromatic 3D Materials and a demonstration of a cryogenic rocket engine by Othisis. These initiatives reflect a broader trend among major militaries, including the U.S. and Japan, to leverage additive manufacturing for cost-effective weaponry.
