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
GALT Aerospace Acquires North Star Scientific Corporation
GALT Aerospace acquires Hawaii-based North Star Scientific, adding C3ISR hardware for key U.S. military aviation platforms.
Defense technology provider GALT Aerospace announced the acquisitions of Hawaii-based North Star Scientific Corporation on June 15, 2026, expanding its portfolio of command and control hardware for military-aircraft platforms.
The transaction marks the first add-on acquisition for San Diego-based GALT Aerospace since private equity firm Godspeed Capital Management purchased the company in March 2026. According to the press release issued by GALT Aerospace, the integration of North Star Scientific Corporation (NSS) will diversify the company’s installed base across high-priority United States military programs.
Expanding C3ISR capabilities
Founded in 2001 in Kapolei, Hawaii, NSS specializes in Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C3ISR) hardware. The acquisition brings high-power radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, transmitters, next-generation antennas, and electronically scanned arrays into the GALT Aerospace product line.
These components are currently integrated into several major military aviation platforms. Supported aircraft include the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the Boeing E-3 Sentry, and the Boeing EA-18G Growler. The hardware also supports the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS).
Alongside its Hawaiian headquarters, NSS recently established a manufacturing center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to support production demands.
Strategic integration and defense contracts
The acquisition aligns with Godspeed Capital’s stated goal of building GALT Aerospace into a foundational defense technology platform. NSS holds established relationships with key defense organizations, including the U.S. Air Force, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
“This acquisition represents another meaningful step in building a market-leading defense technology platform and diversifying GALT’s program base within a highly strategic and complementary customer set,” said Mike Roualet, Principal at Godspeed Capital.
GALT Aerospace CEO John Kohut stated the company intends to leverage the NSS team to deliver high-reliability C3ISR solutions to the national security community.
AirPro News analysis
While the official announcement headline characterized the transaction as a “Strategic Partnerships,” the body of the release and statements from Godspeed Capital explicitly define the move as an acquisition. We view this as standard private equity terminology management, where buyouts are often framed as partnerships to maintain continuity at the acquired firm. The rapid execution of this purchase, coming just three months after Godspeed Capital acquired GALT Aerospace, indicates an aggressive roll-up strategy aimed at consolidating mid-tier C3ISR suppliers for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Sources: GALT Aerospace via Business Wire
Photo Credit: North Star Scientific
Defense & Military
B-52 Stratofortress Crashes at Edwards Air Force Base
A USAF B-52 carrying eight personnel crashed after takeoff from Edwards AFB on June 15, 2026, during a routine test mission.
This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.
A United States Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight personnel crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) in California on June 15, 2026. The 412th Test Wing Public Affairs office confirmed the accident occurred during a routine test mission at 18:20 UTC (11:20 a.m. PDT).
In a press release, the military stated that initial indications suggest the crash was not survivable. Emergency response personnel immediately deployed to the scene, and base officials are working to account for all individuals on board. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the United States Air Force.
Emergency response and base operations
Following the crash, Edwards Air Force Base suspended normal flight operations. According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times, the airfield was closed to inbound traffic, with arriving aircraft diverted to other facilities. Base officials also suspended non-commercial visitor passes to focus entirely on emergency response operations.
Radar tracking data analyzed by The Washington Post indicated the aircraft initially flew northeast after takeoff before gradually turning further north. The data showed the bomber experiencing a descent rate of 5,000 feet per minute in its final seconds. A press conference is scheduled for 23:15 UTC (4:15 p.m. PDT) to provide further updates.
Fleet context and recent military aviation occurrences
The B-52 Stratofortress is a primary component of the United States strategic bomber fleet. According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, the average age of the B-52 fleet is 64 years, and the Air Force plans to keep the aircraft in service until 2050. The publication noted that a B-52 recently arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in December to begin testing an upgraded radar system, though it remains unconfirmed if that specific airframe was involved in the June 15 accident.
This marks the first loss of a B-52 since 2016, when a bomber was destroyed following a rejected takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. In that incident, all crew members evacuated safely.
The Edwards Air Force Base crash follows two other military aviation accidents in recent weeks. Task & Purpose reported that two United States Navy EA-18G Growlers collided midair during an airshow at Mountain Home Air Force Base on May 17, 2026, and a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet crashed near Mount Rainier during a training flight on June 13, 2026.
AirPro News analysis
The loss of a B-52 Stratofortress represents a significant reduction in a finite strategic asset. Because the production line closed in the early 1960s, the United States Air Force cannot replace lost airframes, making the preservation of the remaining fleet critical to the 2050 service life goal. We expect the investigation to heavily scrutinize whether the aircraft’s specific test configuration played any role in the flight dynamics observed in the radar data. Given the concentration of developmental testing at Edwards Air Force Base, a grounding or operational pause for the B-52 test fleet could delay ongoing modernization programs, including the radar and engine replacement initiatives.
Sources: 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Photo Credit: KKTV
Defense & Military
Airbus and SkyFall Sign MoU to Integrate Ukrainian Drone Interceptors
Airbus Defence and Space and SkyFall signed an MoU at ILA 2026 to link Ukrainian P1-SUN interceptors with the Airbus Air C2 system.
Airbus Defence and Space and Ukrainian technology firm SkyFall signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 12, 2026, to integrate combat-tested drone interceptors into European command-and-control networks. The agreement, finalized at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin, aims to build a multi-layered air defence ecosystem capable of countering high-volume drone and missile strikes.
Announced via an Airbus press release, the strategic alliance pairs Ukrainian interceptor hardware with the Airbus Air C2 (Command and Control) system. The signing ceremony was attended by German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn, underscoring the political and strategic weight of the partnership within the European defence sector.
Integrating combat-tested technology
SkyFall brings direct battlefield experience to the partnership. According to the company’s statement in the press release, SkyFall interceptors have neutralized approximately 10,000 Russian drones in live combat environments. This operational history provides validated data on the effectiveness of the Ukrainian hardware in countering saturation aerial threats.
According to reporting by Ukrainska Pravda, the technical integration focuses specifically on linking SkyFall’s P1-SUN interceptors with the Airbus Air C2 architecture. This combination is designed to bridge the gap between rapid-cycle innovation developed under wartime conditions and traditional, large-scale European defence systems.
Schoellhorn noted that countering modern saturation attacks requires technological agility, multinational interoperability, and the deployment of battle-tested capabilities.
“Combining Airbus’ system-of-systems and C2-expertise – especially in integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) – with Ukraine’s invaluable combat insights and field-proven technologies, is another building block in creating a resilient, multi-layered air defence ecosystem – at the speed of the modern battlefield,” Schoellhorn said in the release.
Expanding European air defence networks
The SkyFall agreement is part of a broader push by Airbus to consolidate and modernize integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) capabilities across Europe. During the same week at ILA 2026, Airbus signed parallel agreements with other defence contractors to expand its technological ecosystem.
On June 10, 2026, Airbus and Diehl Defence formalized an agreement to intensify cooperation in IAMD. The following day, on June 11, 2026, Airbus partnered with Alta Ares to integrate counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions into the Airbus Fortion IBMS battle management suite.
Together, these alliances indicate a strategic shift toward modular air shields capable of addressing threats ranging from small, low-cost drones to advanced ballistic missiles.
AirPro News analysis
We view the Airbus and SkyFall MoU as a critical indicator of how the European defence sector is adapting to the realities of modern warfare. Traditional aerospace procurement cycles often take years, but the integration of SkyFall’s P1-SUN interceptors demonstrates a willingness by legacy primes to adopt rapid-cycle, field-proven technology. By plugging Ukrainian hardware directly into the Airbus Air C2 system, European nations can bypass lengthy development phases for drone interception and focus on scaling production and software integration. This approach bolsters immediate continental defence while providing Ukrainian defence firms with a viable pathway into the broader NATO procurement ecosystem.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
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