We live in a remarkable world, don’t we? In such a relatively short period of time, we’ve gone from the industrial revolution to putting a man on the moon, to having the ability to have the almost infinite knowledge at our fingertips on a tiny device in our pockets. The technology available to us jumps significantly every two years and using that as a guide, it’s not going to be too long before almost everything we’ve ever seen in a science fiction movie becomes readily available. With perhaps the notable exceptions of time travel, teleportation, and lightsabers. More’s the pity.
But there’s one particular technological advancement that has a multitude of companies around the globe particularly salivating at its unfathomable potential. Additive manufacturing. Or, 3D printing to you and I. The sky isn’t the limit for what this game-changing invention can possibly do – because there IS no limit, such is the enormous leap forward scientists are already experiencing, even at such a fledgling stage of the life of the 3D printer.
The process, which works by taking a 3D digital file (which anyone can design or download ready-made from popular sites like thingiverse.com) and the relevant software will slice this apart, sending it through a 3D printer.
As well as the obvious and relatively simplistic uses, such as the printing replacement plastic parts, kitchen utensils, toys and toilet roll holders, more complex designs are being utilized in car and aircraft manufacture, housing and catering (including the ability to print food) and for medical purposes. We can already manufacture basic body parts using specifically modified tissue, prosthetic limbs and even replacement arteries and blood vessels. Within a few years’ time, we’ll have the technology to actually print a human organ to any requirement. Waiting for a kidney transplant will be a thing of the past.
But as with any new, exciting and world-changing technology, it’s not going to be too long before the military became interested. And indeed, they have in a considerable way, as the US Department of Defense earmarks a significant percentage of their money for exploring the marriage of 3D printing and the military in the recent 2018 budget. No sooner were humans learning how to build a replacement limb for an accident victim, than we were learning how to make a 3D printed gun to blow them off someone else. It appears the next arms race will come down to how fast we can learn to print.
But how exactly, is 3D printing technology going to benefit the military? The question should rather be – “how is it not?” Let’s start with the basics. Imagine the possibility to utilize mobile 3D printers in any theatre of warfare around the world to constantly pump out ammunition? Shell and bullet casings by the truckload at the touch of a button, developed for any type of situation in any given moment? No longer hands tied with the constraints of a supply chain when you can bust out materials on site for a fraction of the cost. The US Navy is already ahead of the game for example, in 2014 installing such devices on ships in order to print-on-demand parts and weaponry where and when required.
“Sarge, I’ve run out of ammo!”
“No worries son, just print some more.”
Printed explosives are in the pipeline too, as the US Army successfully tested the first 3D printed grenade launcher in May 2017. Fittingly enough, it’s known as RAMBO – Rapid Additively Manufactured Ballistics Ordnance. Whoever came up with that surely got a promotion.
In WW1 soldiers were patched up using bundles of cotton swabs stuck into bullet wounds. In Vietnam, it was superglue, used to stick flesh together. This is why you’ll notice the best thing superglue actually joins is your finger and thumb. In the not too distant future, 3D printers installed at field hospitals are going to be able to print you a new arm, and you’ll be back out fighting the enemy in no time, looking like something just released from Skynet. Indeed, it’s a matter of time before the technology works its way into popular culture. The Black Guard, for example, is an exciting, new military science fiction series by author Kas Smith, which explores 3D printing in a future war against alien foes who carry mobile printers strapped on their backs. Science fiction is a precursor to science fact as they say – and we’re alarmingly close to the possibility of a 3D printed cyborg. Imagine the US military’s joy when that day comes? No longer sending brave men and women to their deaths, but rather having a printed machine to do the dirty work for them. It’s a no-brainer why they’re investing so much into the technology today.
Arms and armor, aircraft, vehicle and ship parts, replacement limbs, organs and other biometric appendages. Even the ability to print food on the battlefield when someone forgot to order more potatoes. GE Aerospace has just completed rigorous testing of an entire Black Hawk helicopter 3D printed engine. Raytheon Missile Systems confidently report they’ve completed a guided weapon with almost all the parts coming from a 3D printer. 3D barracks, bunkers and other military structures could be printed out of concrete – if the tech can be used to print homes in countries with a housing shortage, then there’s no reason why the Army can’t build an entire base wherever the fancy takes them. Then there are the drones – which, to be perfectly honest – seems like child’s play. It’s a matter of time before someone takes to the skies in a 100% additively manufactured warplane. Then, they’ll turn their attention to the cosmos.
3D printers that can operate in space are already in development, with plans to actually print out a full moon base. This bodes well for Donald Trump’s proposed “space force,” so while we’re staring at 3D printing taking over this world, they’re also going to be used to take over the next one. With a bit of luck, we’ll be visited by the little green men long before that happens, and they’ll put this technology to shame.
However, there is a morality issue with the seemingly unstoppable rise of 3D printing. To put it quite simply, nobody needs a background check to own one. What’s to stop Tom, Dick or Harry, military or otherwise, from having carte blanche to manufacture just about anything they want? The only thing left to purchase in the free market is potentially the 3D printer itself – but then, you can use a 3D printer to print a 3D printer. Will nothing be sacred? Where does the buck stop? Lines will most certainly have to be drawn. Nay; printed.
