{
  "id": 15176190,
  "title": "US Army to use 3D-printed rocket motors for low-cost cruise missiles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/us-army-to-use-3d-printed-rocket-motors-for-low-cost-cruise-missiles",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T10:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/us-army-to-use-3d-printed-rocket-motors-for-low-cost-cruise-missiles-additive-manufacturing-company-secures-deal-to-build-rocket-engines-for-the-arsenal-of-freedom"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. Army is set to incorporate 3D-printed rocket motors into its Low-Cost Containerized Munition (LCCM) project, as announced by additive manufacturing specialist X-Bow Systems in collaboration with Leidos. This move aligns with the \"Arsenal of Freedom\" initiative aimed at revitalizing the United States' defense industrial base. X-Bow Systems, founded in 2016, has already manufactured over 2,100 combat-ready rocket motors, demonstrating its capability to meet the Army's demands. While conventional manufacturing methods possess advantages, 3D printing excels in handling complex geometries and iterative design processes, enabling the company to create and implement new designs in a matter of days, as opposed to the lengthy prototyping and testing periods of traditional defense contractors. Other companies, such as Chromatic 3D Materials, Othisis, and an individual enthusiast have also explored and successfully implemented 3D-printed rocket motors in various applications. This technology is not confined to rocket motors, with startups like a U.S. company securing a contract for 3D-printed jet engines for drones and long-range weapons, and the U.S. Navy kickstarting 3D-printed drones and parts on aircraft carriers. Some U.S. Army troops have even begun 3D-printing 'Dragoon Bombs' and coupling them with domestically assembled drones for anti-personnel and anti-light-armor missions up to 12 miles away. The utilization of drones and 3D printing technologies surged into the spotlight during the war in Ukraine, showcasing their potential to empower smaller forces against larger military powers. Consequently, larger militaries like the U.S. and Japan are turning to these innovative technologies for more cost-effective armaments.",
  "summary": "X-Bow Systems has been tapped to 3D-print rocket motors for the U.S. Army's low-cost cruise missiles.",
  "key_points": [
    "U.S. Army integrates 3D-printed rocket motors into LCCM project.",
    "X-Bow Systems, with Leidos, manufactures over 2,100 combat-ready motors.",
    "3D printing enables rapid design and complex geometry creation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}