Defense & Military
Stratasys Direct Joins US Department of War’s JAMA IV 3D Printing Program
Stratasys Direct selected for the US Department of War’s JAMA IV program to accelerate 3D-printed military parts with a $10M contract.
This article is based on an official press release from Stratasys Ltd., supplemented by industry research.
Stratasys Ltd. has announced that its contract manufacturing division, Stratasys Direct, was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of War’s (DoW) Joint Additive Manufacturing Acceptability (JAMA) IV Pilot Parts Program. According to the company’s press release, the multimillion-dollar initiative is designed to accelerate the qualification and deployment of 3D-printed components across active military platforms and systems.
Spearheaded by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the JAMA IV program represents a critical step in the Pentagon’s efforts to modernize its supply chain. Industry research indicates that the initiative focuses on transitioning additive manufacturing from a prototyping tool to a production-scale solution for sustainment and operational resilience.
As defense budgets for digital manufacturing surge in fiscal year 2026, the selection of Stratasys Direct underscores the growing reliance on established additive manufacturing contractors to keep mission-critical systems operational and combat part obsolescence.
The JAMA IV Pilot Parts Program
Combating Supply Chain Shortages
The JAMA IV Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Pilot Parts Program is managed by the DLA, which serves as the Pentagon’s primary provider of combat logistics support. According to supplementary industry research, the program’s core objective is to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) for aging military fleets. The firm-fixed-price IDIQ contracts carry a maximum shared value of approximately $9.8 million to $10 million. The base period for the contract runs through February 24, 2027, and includes four additional one-year option periods.
Operational Mechanics and Materials
Under the JAMA IV framework, the DLA provides approved 3D printing vendors with Technical Data Packages (TDPs) for certified military parts. Suppliers then bid for specific task orders through the Defense Department’s Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). Industry data shows that the program covers a wide array of metal and polymer components, utilizing materials such as 17-4PH and 316L Stainless Steel, AlSi10Mg, Copper Nickel, Cobalt-Chromium, Polyetherimide (PEI), ABS, and Nylon 12. Initial task orders reportedly include plastic intake caps, pressurized door seals, and boresights for the M320 grenade launcher.
Stratasys Direct’s Expanding Defense Footprint
Proven ROI and Production Scale
Stratasys Direct currently operates as a Program of Record for both the U.S. Air Force and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The company noted in its press release that it already ships over 100,000 parts annually to the defense industry. To meet the rigorous demands of military contracts, Stratasys Direct maintains strict certified quality systems, including AS9100, ISO 9001, CMMC compliance, and ITAR adherence.
The operational benefits of these additive manufacturing solutions are already measurable. For example, Stratasys highlighted its work with the U.S. Air Force’s C-17 fleet, where 3D-printed microvanes are used to improve aerodynamic efficiency. According to the company, these components help save an estimated $14 million in annual fuel costs while significantly reducing lead times for replacement parts.
“In 2025, Stratasys saw double-digit annual revenue growth from aerospace and defense, demonstrating that additive manufacturing is becoming a key capability for defense sustainment and supply chain resilience,” said Foster Ferguson, Vice President of the Industrial Business Unit at Stratasys.
Ferguson further noted that programs like JAMA will accelerate the qualification process, allowing defense organizations to deploy critical components faster across operational platforms.
Broader Industry Implications and Budget Surges
A $3.3 Billion Commitment
The U.S. military is significantly increasing its financial commitment to 3D printing technologies. According to industry research, the DoW’s fiscal year 2026 budget request allocates $3.3 billion across 16 projects featuring additive manufacturing. This represents an 83% increase from the $1.8 billion approved in fiscal year 2025, reflecting a strategic mandate to localize production and reduce single-source supplier risks.
A Competitive Ecosystem
Stratasys is not the sole beneficiary of this initiative. The DLA awarded JAMA IV contracts to a pool of 24 participating manufacturers to ensure a resilient and competitive supply base. Other notable awardees include Velo3D, Applied Rapid Technologies (ART), General Electric (Colibrium Additive), Relativity Space, and Sintavia.
Executives from other participating firms echoed the strategic importance of the program. Dr. Arun Jeldi, Chief Executive Officer of Velo3D, highlighted the technology’s impact on military logistics.
“Additive manufacturing provides the Department of Defense with a powerful tool to improve supply chain responsiveness and mitigate risk in maintaining operational readiness,” Jeldi stated.
Similarly, Jim Wiley, President and Co-Founder of Obsidian Solutions Group (parent company of ART), emphasized the honor of partnering with the DLA to deliver “high-quality, on-demand components to the warfighter.”
AirPro News analysis
The awarding of the JAMA IV contracts marks a definitive maturation point for additive manufacturing within the defense sector. Historically, 3D printing was viewed by military procurement officers as an “aspirational” technology, largely relegated to rapid prototyping or non-essential tooling. The shift toward producing flight-safety-critical and mission-essential parts at scale indicates that the technology has finally met the Pentagon’s stringent durability and repeatability standards.
Furthermore, by distributing the $10 million shared contract ceiling across 24 different manufacturers, the Defense Logistics Agency is actively avoiding the creation of new single-source bottlenecks. As global geopolitical tensions continue to expose vulnerabilities in traditional, centralized manufacturing supply chains, we expect the Department of War to increasingly rely on distributed, digital manufacturing networks to maintain fleet readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMA IV Pilot Parts Program?
The Joint Additive Manufacturing Acceptability (JAMA) IV Pilot Parts Program is a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency initiative designed to accelerate the qualification and deployment of 3D-printed replacement parts for active military platforms, helping to combat supply chain shortages.
How much is the U.S. military investing in additive manufacturing?
According to industry research, the Department of War’s fiscal year 2026 budget request includes $3.3 billion for additive manufacturing projects, an 83% increase from the previous fiscal year.
What types of parts is Stratasys printing for the military?
Stratasys produces a variety of components, including 3D-printed microvanes for the U.S. Air Force’s C-17 fleet, which improve aerodynamic efficiency and save an estimated $14 million annually in fuel costs. The JAMA IV program will also include parts like intake caps, door seals, and weapon boresights.
Sources
- Stratasys Ltd. Press Release
- Industry Research Report
Photo Credit: US Air Force – C-17 Globemaster III
Defense & Military
Saab Names Canadian Partners for Gripen E Fighter Bid
Saab AB names CAE, IMP Aerospace, and Magellan as partners for its Gripen E bid in Canada’s fighter replacement program.
Saab AB has outlined its proposed domestic supply chain for Canada’s future fighter acquisition program, naming CAE Inc., IMP Aerospace & Defence, and Magellan Aerospace as principal partners for the Gripen E bid.
In a press release issued on October 27, 2026, the Swedish aerospace manufacturer detailed a strategy to establish in-country final assembly, aerostructures manufacturing, and long-term sustainment. The industrial ecosystem is conditional on the Government of Canada selecting the Gripen E to modernize the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fleet.
Structuring the domestic supply chain
Saab has structured specific industrial agreements with the three Canadian entities to cover different phases of production and support. Under a Teaming Agreement, IMP Aerospace & Defence would establish a final assembly line, handle electrical assembly production, and provide in-service support (ISS) within Canada.
IMP Aerospace & Defence President David Gossen noted that the capability would meet domestic requirements while offering broader export potential.
“We see a real opportunity for IMP to produce and support aircraft for Gripen customers internationally, positioning Canadian industry as an enduring part of the global Gripen program,” Gossen said.
Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Magellan Aerospace for the local manufacturing of advanced aerostructures, composite structures, and structural assemblies. Magellan Aerospace Vice President of Business Development Haydn Martin stated the company is positioned to bring its manufacturing expertise to the program, supporting high-tech job creation and sovereign defense capabilities.
A separate MoU with CAE Inc. covers the delivery of advanced fighter pilot and technician training, mission systems engineering, and sustainment capabilities. CAE Defense & Security President Pascal Grenier highlighted the company’s longstanding commitment to RCAF training needs and its readiness to support Canada’s future fighter force.
Meeting Canada’s industrial requirements
The Canadian fighter replacement program requires bidders to offer significant domestic industrial and technological benefits. Saab’s proposed ecosystem aims to provide Canada with a self-reliant capability to deploy, sustain, and enhance the Gripen E aircraft over its operational life.
Saab AB President and CEO Micael Johansson described the potential acquisition as a long-term national investment.
“Together with CAE, IMP and Magellan Aerospace we are prepared to establish a strong Canadian industrial ecosystem around Gripen that delivers operational effect, national sovereignty and lasting industrial and technological benefits,” Johansson said.
The Gripen E and RCAF modernization
Saab designs and manufactures the Gripen series of advanced multi-role fighter aircraft alongside other defense and security systems. The company is offering the Gripen E to the Government of Canada as the replacement for the current RCAF fighter fleet. The activation of the partnerships with CAE, IMP Aerospace & Defence, and Magellan Aerospace remains entirely dependent on the government selecting the Swedish aircraft.
The three Canadian partners are established aerospace entities. CAE specializes in advanced simulation technologies and training services for defense forces globally. IMP Aerospace & Defence provides in-service support, engineering, and maintenance for military aircraft. Magellan Aerospace manufactures complex aerospace systems, aerostructures, and components.
AirPro News analysis
Saab’s industrial strategy highlights the stringent economic requirements embedded in Canada’s fighter replacement program. By offering a domestic final assembly line and integrating Canadian firms into the global supply chain, Saab is attempting to maximize its industrial and technological benefits proposition. The proposal for IMP Aerospace & Defence to potentially produce and support aircraft for international Gripen customers is particularly notable, as it offers long-term economic value that extends beyond the RCAF procurement cycle. We view this as a calculated move to address both sovereign defense capability and domestic economic priorities in a highly competitive acquisition process.
Photo Credit: Saab AB
Defense & Military
India DAC Clears Rs 2.12 Lakh Crore Defence Acquisitions
India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved Rs 2,12,000 crore in military procurement, with 82% directed to domestic manufacturers.
India‘s Defence Acquisition Council cleared capital acquisition proposals valued at an estimated Rs 2,12,000 crore on October 26, 2026, directing the vast majority of the funds toward domestic aerospace and defence manufacturers.
The approvals, known as Acceptances of Necessity (AoN), mark the formal beginning of the procurement process for the Indian Armed Forces. According to a press release from the Press Information Bureau, approximately 82% of the cleared procurements will be sourced from Indian industry, underscoring the government’s ongoing push for military self-reliance.
Rotary-wing and weather surveillance modernization
The aviation and aerospace components of the clearance reflect modern battlefield priorities across multiple branches of the Indian military. A significant portion of the approval centers on modernizing the country’s rotary-wing fleets.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army will jointly procure Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH). The government stated the LMRH will be utilized for “Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Combat, Search and Rescue of troops, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.” The joint procurement strategy aims to standardize the utility helicopter fleet across the two branches.
In addition to the LMRH program, the IAF will acquire Special Utility Helicopters specifically configured for air transport operations. To support flight operations and tactical planning in forward areas, the IAF will also procure Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems. These mobile units are designed to provide high-resolution, localized weather surveillance, a critical capability for flight safety and mission execution in challenging environments.
Expanding unmanned and air defence capabilities
The October 26 clearance heavily emphasizes unmanned aerial systems and the corresponding technologies required to defeat them. The Indian Army’s drone capabilities will undergo a significant expansion through the acquisition of Long Range Kamikaze Drone Systems, Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and Integrated Surveillance and Strike Systems.
To counter emerging aerial threats, the armed forces will acquire Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS). These systems provide terminal air defence against low-altitude aerial threats. The procurement also includes Platform Based Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), which are specifically intended to protect armored formations from hostile drone activity.
The Indian Navy is also included in the aerospace and defence technology upgrades, with the council clearing the procurement of the Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS) to enhance maritime defensive capabilities.
The Acceptance of Necessity framework
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, serves as the highest decision-making body within the Indian Ministry of Defence regarding military procurement. The council is responsible for clearing major capital acquisitions for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
In the Indian defence procurement system, an Acceptance of Necessity represents the in-principle administrative approval that initiates the formal acquisition process. It is the mandatory first step before the government can proceed with the acquisition.
Following the AoN clearance on October 26, 2026, the Ministry of Defence will issue Requests for Proposal (RFP) to domestic defence manufacturers. The issuance of RFPs will lead to a structured process of equipment trials, commercial negotiations, and eventual contract awards to the selected vendors.
AirPro News analysis
We view the allocation of 82% of a Rs 2,12,000 crore clearance to domestic industry as a definitive structural shift in the Indian defence market. The Ministry of Defence has been aggressively pushing its “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) initiative to reduce dependence on foreign military imports and build a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem. By ring-fencing such a massive capital outlay for local suppliers, the government is ensuring that the majority of the capital flows directly into the domestic aerospace and defence sectors.
For foreign original equipment manufacturers, this clearance reinforces the reality that direct, off-the-shelf sales to India are becoming increasingly rare. Accessing the Indian market now requires deep integration with domestic firms through joint ventures, technology transfers, and local manufacturing subsidiaries. The emphasis on domestic development for complex platforms like the Light Multi Role Helicopter also signals high government confidence in the maturity of local prime contractors and their supply chains.
Photo Credit: Indian Air Force
Defense & Military
RCAF Accepts First Two CF-35A Fighters at Luke Air Force Base
Canada takes delivery of CF-35A fighters AR-1 and AR-2 at Luke AFB as its C$19B procurement program remains under review.
This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) officially accepted delivery of its first two Lockheed Martin CF-35A Lightning II stealth fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona on October 22, 2026, marking the physical introduction of the fifth-generation platform into the Canadian military.
The handover of the aircraft, designated AR-1 and AR-2, proceeds even as the broader C$19 billion procurement program remains in political limbo. Following trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney initiated a formal review of the 88-aircraft purchase in March 2025, leaving the ultimate size and composition of Canada’s future fighter fleet unconfirmed.
Initial training operations in Arizona
The first two CF-35As will remain stationed at Luke Air Force Base to support the initial training cadre of Canadian instructor pilots and maintainers. The Arizona installation serves as a primary international training hub for the F-35 platform, hosting multiple allied nations. According to the Department of National Defence (DND), a total of eight Canadian jets are planned to be based at the facility through 2026 and 2027.
The delivery occurred exactly one month after the first Canadian aircraft completed its maiden flight at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 23, 2026. In an official statement regarding the delivery, the RCAF noted that the arrival of the jets represents a foundational step, adding that the future of air and space power is built on more than equipment alone.
Procurement review and fleet uncertainty
Canada has been a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program since 1997. After years of political debate and a reset of the procurement process, the Canadian government selected the F-35A in 2022 over the Saab Gripen E to replace its aging McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet fleet. The CF-18 has been in service since the 1980s and is slated for retirement in the early 2030s. In January 2023, Ottawa finalized the agreement to purchase 88 F-35As.
The procurement trajectory shifted in March 2025 when Prime Minister Carney ordered a formal review of the acquisition. Currently, only 16 of the 88 jets are firmly committed and funded. Minister of National Defence David McGuinty confirmed the ongoing evaluation, stating that the question of the F-35 remains under review and that both he and the prime minister are highly engaged in the issue alongside the emerging Defence Investment Agency.
The government is actively evaluating the possibility of operating a mixed fighter fleet. This approach could integrate Saab Gripen E fighters alongside a smaller number of F-35s, reopening a competition that Saab had previously lost during the Future Fighter Capability Project selection.
Path to operational capability
Despite the political uncertainty surrounding the final fleet size, the RCAF continues to execute its transition plan for the funded aircraft. The first CF-35As are scheduled to arrive on Canadian soil at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta in 2028.
The air force plans to declare Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the CF-35A fleet between 2029 and 2030. This timeline aligns with the necessary infrastructure upgrades at Canadian bases and the completion of initial pilot and maintainer training in the United States.
AirPro News analysis
Canada’s ongoing review of the F-35 program is highly unusual for a Tier 3 partner at this late stage of procurement. While the physical delivery of AR-1 and AR-2 ensures the RCAF can begin building its fifth-generation institutional knowledge, the potential pivot to a mixed fleet introduces significant logistical and interoperability questions. Operating both the CF-35A and the Saab Gripen E would require maintaining two distinct supply chains, training pipelines, and maintenance infrastructures. We note that these dual-fleet requirements could potentially offset the initial acquisition savings of a split purchase, complicating the RCAF’s transition away from the CF-18 Hornet.
Photo Credit: Royal Canadian Air Force
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