Answer extracted from the Inspiring Industry Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
How has SPEE3D expanded metal 3D printing across global defense forces?
SPEE3D began deploying its four-ton metal 3D printer with the Australian Army around 2019, and today operates across five defense forces globally with 10 systems in Ukraine. The company has become the first to manufacture metal parts aboard a US Navy ship and completed cold-weather testing with military partners.
From pilot program to global defense deployment
The journey started when the Australian Army approached SPEE3D in 2019 with a clear operational need: field-deployable metal manufacturing. After iterative testing and refinements during the COVID period, the concept moved from proof-of-concept to active deployment. The systems proved their value on the ground, particularly in environments where traditional supply chains couldn't deliver critical spare parts quickly enough.
By 2024, SPEE3D had grown its defense footprint to working partnerships with five military forces across multiple continents. The Ukraine deployment alone represents the largest concentration of SPEE3D systems in active use, with 10 units in the field supporting military operations and maintenance needs. As discussed in this episode of Inspiring Industry Podcast, the speed advantage of the technology—being 100 to 1,000 times faster than conventional metal 3D printing—directly translates to operational readiness in conflict zones.
First metal parts manufactured at sea
One of SPEE3D's most significant milestones came when it became the first company to manufacture metal components aboard a US Navy vessel. This breakthrough demonstrated that the technology could operate reliably in one of the harshest and most demanding environments imaginable—shipboard operations with strict power, space, and quality constraints. The achievement validated the robustness of the platform beyond land-based defense applications.
In addition to naval deployment, SPEE3D completed testing at sub-freezing conditions with other defense forces, proving that the technology functions reliably across extreme climate variations. As Byron Kennedy explains in the full conversation, these validation tests were essential to building confidence among military procurement teams.
"You can eliminate that mould. You don't need that mould. And suddenly you don't need a big factory and you don't need a lot of capital intensive equipment to be able to manufacture parts anymore."
Byron Kennedy — Co-founder of SPEE3D. Kennedy is a serial entrepreneur with Steve Committery, having previously co-founded an electric motor company. After working in manufacturing for a decade following the sale of their first venture to a major U.S. industrial firm, Kennedy and Committery identified metal 3D printing as the next frontier and launched SPEE3D around 2015–2016 to commercialize faster, lower-cost additive manufacturing technology.
The implications of decentralized manufacturing extend far beyond convenience. For defense forces operating in remote or contested areas, the ability to manufacture critical metal parts on-site eliminates supply chain vulnerabilities and dramatically reduces response time when equipment fails. This capability has transformed how military logistics and field operations are planned.
You might be curious to learn more about the specific competitive advantages that set SPEE3D apart—Byron Kennedy covers the technical differentiation in greater detail when discussing the company's technology benchmarks on the podcast.
Key takeaways
- SPEE3D began defense deployment in 2019 with the Australian Army and now operates with five military forces globally.
- Ten SPEE3D systems have been deployed to Ukraine, representing the largest single concentration of the technology in active military use.
- The company achieved the first-ever manufacturing of metal parts aboard a US Navy ship, validating shipboard reliability.
- Cold-weather testing with defense partners confirmed the technology operates across extreme climate conditions.
See also
What are the speed advantages of SPEE3D's technology compared to other metal 3D printing technologies?
SPEE3D is typically between 100 to 1,000 times faster than other metal 3D printing technologies, enabling competitive speeds with traditional manufacturing methods in many applications.
How did SPEE3D develop its metal 3D printing technology and what problem was it designed to solve?
Byron Kennedy and Steve Committery developed SPEE3D around 2015–2016 after discovering a technology used by the US military for repair that was faster and lower-cost than existing metal additive manufacturing alternatives.
What international collaboration does CIPP engage in regarding payroll standards?
CIPP works with the American Payroll Association, the Canadian National Payroll Institute, and organizations in South Africa and Australia to establish international payroll standards and best practices.