HII Installs First 3D-Printed Valve Manifold on CVN 80

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division has successfully installed the first valve manifold assembly created through additive manufacturing on the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, Enterprise (CVN 80). This 3D-printed component, measuring approximately 5 feet in length and weighing 1,000 pounds, is designed to distribute fluid from a single source to multiple points on the ship. The integration of 3D printing is expected to enhance construction speed and quality, thereby reducing lead times for US Navy vessel deliveries. Following this installation, similar manifold assemblies for the Doris Miller (CVN 81) will also utilize additive manufacturing, further streamlining the shipbuilding process. NNS has previously been certified as a supplier for 3D-printed components on Naval Sea Systems platforms and has produced over 55 additively manufactured parts, with plans for more than 200 additional parts this year. This advancement marks a significant step in modernizing shipbuilding practices and improving efficiency.