This bill expands the defense logistics demonstration program to incorporate commercial 3D printing facilities for producing parts in contested environments and extends the program's deadline to 2030.
Ro Khanna
Representative
CA-17
This bill expands an existing Department of Defense program focused on overcoming supply chain challenges in contested environments. It specifically mandates the inclusion of commercial additive manufacturing (3D printing) facilities in demonstration and prototyping efforts. Furthermore, the legislation extends the deadline for this program's activities until December 31, 2030.
Defense Logistics Program Extended to 2030, Mandates Use of Commercial 3D Printing for Spare Parts
This bill modifies a critical Department of Defense (DoD) program focused on improving international product support, especially in areas where getting supplies is tough—what the Pentagon calls a “contested logistics environment.” Essentially, this is about making sure that when supply lines are cut or under threat, troops can still get the gear and parts they need. The legislation makes two key changes to the existing demonstration and prototyping program established under Section 842 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
The Future of Field Repairs: 3D Printing on Demand
The most significant change is the mandate to include commercial additive manufacturing facilities—that’s 3D printing factories—in the program’s prototyping efforts. Think of it this way: instead of waiting weeks for a critical, custom-made spare part to be shipped halfway around the world, the DoD wants to test if they can use existing commercial 3D printing shops closer to the action to quickly fabricate the part on demand. This shift recognizes that commercial tech is often ahead of the military’s internal capabilities, and leveraging these facilities could drastically cut down on repair times and logistics headaches. This provision specifically targets using these commercial facilities in contested logistics environments to see how well they can perform under pressure.
More Runway to Figure It Out
To give the DoD enough time to properly test this new strategy, the bill also pushes back the program’s deadline. The Secretary of Defense now has until December 31, 2030, to carry out the activities outlined in the original law, including this new focus on commercial 3D printing. This extension acknowledges that developing new, reliable supply chain methods—especially ones involving advanced manufacturing in difficult settings—takes serious time and testing.
What This Means in the Real World
For the average person, this bill is a technical update to defense logistics, but it points to a major shift in how the military plans to operate. If you work in advanced manufacturing or 3D printing, this signals a growing market opportunity, as the DoD is now required to integrate commercial capabilities into its most challenging supply chain problems. For taxpayers, the hope is that this shift to localized, on-demand manufacturing will ultimately make defense logistics more efficient, less reliant on vulnerable global shipping lanes, and potentially cheaper in the long run. The bill is procedural, but the intent is clear: to build a faster, more resilient supply chain by bringing the factory closer to the front line.