3D printing to revolutionize battlefield logistics: army insider

Jessica Longbottom abc.net.au Self-assembling weapons that trigger under certain conditions and specialist "3D print platoons" could be within the Australian Army's sights, according to a defence force insider. Army Lieutenant Jacob Choi made the comments at a 3D printing conference in Melbourne, stressing he was speaking in a private capacity. The printers use electronic data to lay down successive layers of material to make a static three-dimensional object. Lieutenant Choi said the main benefit of the new technology for the army was making the supply chain to the battlefield shorter, therefore reducing the risk to soldiers. "They should be able to print what they need on the ground so it can be serviceable within a matter of hours, not days," he said. The Defence Force officer said he would like to see the Australian Army utilising the full benefits of 3D printing by 2020. to read more: abc.net.au