AML3D LIMITED (ASX:AL3) has completed commissioning of its first two custom large-scale ARCEMY® X metal 3D printing systems for Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII and the largest military shipbuilder in the US.
The commissioning completes an initial order worth about A$4.5 million and triggers a final payment of around A$892,000 to AML3D.
Newport News Shipbuilding has also placed a second order worth about A$9.9 million for 4 additional custom ARCEMY® X systems, which are on track for delivery in early 2027.
ARCEMY systems to support US shipbuilding
The first two systems delivered to Newport News Shipbuilding include a 10,886-kilogram positioner, providing heavy-capacity build capability for a range of shipbuilding applications.
Newport News Shipbuilding builds nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, surface ships and defence technology. AML3D said the initial fleet of 6 ARCEMY® X systems would allow the shipbuilder to use advanced additive manufacturing to reduce lead times and provide alternatives to traditional manufacturing processes.
The investment forms part of a broader push by Newport News Shipbuilding to use technology to increase shipbuilding throughput.
US defence demand drives expansion
AML3D said demand for ARCEMY® systems across the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base continued to support its US growth strategy.
The company is investing to double manufacturing capacity at its US technology and manufacturing hub in Stow, Ohio, to meet rising demand.
AML3D chief executive officer Sean Ebert said the commissioning of the first Newport News systems reinforced the company’s decision to scale in the US.
“The strong and growing demand we are seeing from the US MIB is a ringing endorsement of AML3D’s US scale up strategy,” Ebert said.
“We are doubling the capacity at Stow to ensure we are well positioned to maximise the opportunity outlined in the letter of intent we received from the US Navy earlier in the 2026 financial year that indicated a need for up to 100 additive manufacturing systems and 3,400 additively manufactured parts by 2030.”
Ebert said similar demand signals were emerging in other defence markets, including the UK, where AML3D has already secured defence contracts.
The company plans to establish a European technology and manufacturing hub, which it said would position AML3D to support the US, UK and Australia — the 3 signatories to the AUKUS defence partnership.
About AML3D
AML3D is an Australian-listed technology company founded in 2014. It develops and supplies industrial metal 3D printing systems using its patented Wire Additive Manufacturing process.
Its ARCEMY® systems combine welding science, robotics, materials engineering and proprietary software to produce metal parts for sectors including defence, maritime, aerospace, manufacturing, mining and oil and gas.
The company also provides design engineering, software licensing, technical support, consumables and contract manufacturing services.