The U.S. Marines are experimenting with the idea of instant repairs, in the field, of their equipment, according to a report in Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
They’re using a technology already incorporated in the business world – 3-D printing.
“We’re at the tip of the iceberg as to what capabilities this can bring,” Capt. Justin Carrasco said in a report from the Marines.
Carrasco is with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, the first infantry battalion in the Marine Corps to begin using a 3-D printer.
The experiments are going on at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The idea is simply to remove the wait for parts, within some limits, that need to be replaced in the field.
The printers are being used to make the components on the spot.
“It doesn’t take much work behind the scenes,” Carrasco explained. “You’re limited by your imagination.”
Examples are a gas cap for a vehicle, a hand-guard for a weapon and a front-sight post on a light anti-armor weapon trainer.
For the rest of this report, and more, please go to Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
