SPEE3D Wins Office Of The Secretary Of Defense Manufacturing Technology “Point Of Need Challenge”  

May 17, 2023

We are excited to announce that we were named a winner of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology (OSD ManTech) “Point of Need Challenge” for solutions to support forward-deployed forces in austere environments. The program will invest nearly $2.5 million, with industry partners contributing another $700,000 in cost share.

For the Point of Need Challenge we will showcase our patented Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology, and the ability to successfully 3D-print metal parts in sub-freezing environments equivalent in quality to the same parts printed, on the same technology, in a shop or lab environment. This live exercise will feature our expeditionary XSPEE3D model, and will occur later this year at the Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire.

SPEE3D’s XSPEE3D model. The technology that will be used to print parts in sub-zero temperatures as part of the DoD Point of Need Challenge.

“Given our proven track record of working with the military in very hot and dry environments, we look forward to demonstrating our expeditionary manufacturing and repair capabilities in sub-freezing conditions. We are honored to work with the OSD to showcase our patented Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing technology” – Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D.

Applications were accepted from 60+ organizations. Only 11 teams made the final round, requiring a live presentation at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. The event showcased technologies generated by member companies of the Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs). Invited finalists were evaluated by a panel of 13 judges from the Military Services, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Defense Innovation Unit, OSD ManTech, and Joint Staff. 

A total of six projects from five MIIs were selected for approval. The projects covered three challenges: the Warfighter Medical, Health, and Nutrition Challenge; the Staying in the Fight Challenge; and the Cyber Challenge.

We entered the Staying in the Fight Challenge and partnered with LIFT as their contracted MII. LIFT is a registered DoD MII headquartered in Detroit, overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

How We Can Help

To find out about more about  SPEE3D’s products, SPEE3D’s upcoming events, and cold spray, or to just find out more about metal additive manufacturing, feel free to email us at contact@spee3d.com or call us:

Australia: +61 (03) 8759 1464 | USA: +1 877-908-9369 | Europe: + 44 (808) 196-2931 | UK: 808-196-2931