Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), France’s Naval Group and its Singapore subsidiary Naval Group Far East, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly explore new technologies such as additive manufacturing for naval applications. Under the agreement, the organisations will jointly identify potential use cases of harnessing additive manufacturing. This includes the sharing of production methodology, certification and qualification of additive manufactured components for naval platforms.
Eric Papin, Naval Group Executive Vice President, Chief Technical and Innovation Officer said: “Naval Group is proud to collaborate with DSTA on additive manufacturing for naval platforms. The agreement will pave the way for the exchange of best practices in the area of additive manufacturing for defence. Naval Group is committed to innovation and excellence in the fields of naval defence and energy, with a strong focus on collaborative research that translates into trusted partnerships such as the one we share with DSTA.”
Ong Li Koon, Director Naval Systems, DSTA said: “DSTA recognises the importance of collaboration in tapping emerging technologies amidst a rapidly evolving landscape. We look forward to exchanging our knowledge and experience with Naval Group, and are confident this partnership will help enhance our additive manufacturing competencies and drive its adoption for defence applications.”
Naval Group, which specializes in naval defense and marine renewable energy, was the first to 3D print a full-scale propeller blade demonstrator for military use, and has now announced the creation of a next-generation 3D printed propeller that will power the French Navy’s Tripartite minehunter FS Andromède (M643) ship. Naval Group, which designed the metal propeller, manufactured it using wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology, which has been utilized in the past to print other propellers.
