Pentagon expands military parts production to private 3D printing shops
H.R. 5190 — To expand the contested logistics demonstration and prototyping program to include commercial additive manufacturing facilities in contested logistics environments, and for other purposes. · Filed by Ro Khanna (D-CA) · Introduced Sep 8, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill expands a Department of Defense demonstration program (created in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act) to include commercial additive manufacturing facilities—3D printing shops—as part of efforts to produce military parts rapidly and locally in contested war zones or areas with disrupted supply chains. It extends the program's sunset date from its current expiration to December 31, 2030.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is a straightforward expansion of an existing DoD demonstration program to include a new technology (additive manufacturing) and extend its timeline. It is a technical amendment to advance military logistics capability, not a hidden carve-out or rider.
What the text implies
- The bill does not specify how commercial additive manufacturing facilities will be selected, vetted, or compensated, creating potential for sole-source contracting or favoritism absent implementing regulations.
- Additive manufacturing in contested environments may introduce supply-chain security risks if commercial facilities lack DoD security clearances or counterintelligence vetting.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
commercial additive manufacturing companies; 3D printing equipment manufacturers; defense contractors with additive manufacturing capabilities