U.S. Navy turns to Lincoln Electric to advance submarine production with AM
The U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Lincoln Electric partnering to accelerate the use of additive manufacturing in the construction of nuclear-powered submarines.
The initiative comes at a critical time. By 2028, the United States must deliver one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines each year while continuing to sustain the existing fleet. Meeting this ambitious demand requires new approaches to increase throughput, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen supply chains. Additive manufacturing, which enables the rapid production of complex components, is emerging as a key part of the solution.
Matt Sermon, Executive Director of the Maritime Industrial Base Program, emphasized the importance of this step. He explained that the program is charged with strengthening and expanding the shipbuilding and repair capacity the nation needs for deterrence and warfighting. By investing in additive manufacturing at scale, he said, the Navy is ensuring that its industrial base is equipped with the tools, technologies, and resilience necessary to meet its mission.
Through MIB Program funding, General Dynamics Electric Boat will source critical submarine components from Lincoln Electric’s new large-scale metal additive manufacturing facility in Cleveland. This advanced operation is anchored by four state-of-the-art SculptPrint machines, representing Lincoln Electric’s largest government-funded investment in additive manufacturing to date.
Ken Jeanos, Vice President of Supply Chain, Materials, and Logistics at General Dynamics Electric Boat, explained that shortages in material availability have been a major driver of construction delays across the submarine enterprise. He noted that 3D printed parts could play a transformative role by cutting lead times for essential components and accelerating the delivery of submarines to the U.S. Navy.
Jeanos described this latest investment as a pivotal step that further unlocks additive manufacturing’s potential, allowing the defense industry to confront complex supply chain challenges with innovative and efficient solutions. He added that the effort builds upon several years of collaboration by Electric Boat’s engineering and procurement teams to integrate additive manufacturing and other advanced technologies into submarine production.
Lincoln Electric’s Chairman and CEO, Steven B. Hedlund, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stressing that the investment not only strengthens the company’s collaboration with Electric Boat but also demonstrates Lincoln Electric’s long-term commitment to delivering transformative solutions for the defense industrial base.
The Maritime Industrial Base Program, established in September 2024, leads the Navy’s efforts to revitalize America’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities. Its mission is to expand and strengthen the industrial base that supports the construction and maintenance of surface ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines vital to national defense.
