Curtiss-Wright and Sintavia Deliver First 3D Printed Impeller for U.S. Navy Submarine

Curtiss-Wright’s EMS division, in partnership with Sintavia, has successfully delivered the first 3D printed impeller for installation on a U.S. Navy submarine. This marks a pivotal advancement in metal additive manufacturing for the defense industry, particularly within naval applications. The impeller was developed, manufactured, and tested through a comprehensive collaboration, with the final assembly and testing taking place at Curtiss-Wright’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania facility. This delivery is a significant step toward integrating additive manufacturing (AM) technology into mission-critical components for the military.

Leveraging Metal Additive Manufacturing for Enhanced Performance and Efficiency
The collaboration between Curtiss-Wright and Sintavia highlights the potential of additive manufacturing to deliver reliable, high-quality, and time-efficient solutions for defense contractors. By leveraging AM, Curtiss-Wright expects to significantly reduce lead times, lower performance risks, and improve delivery to the U.S. Navy. This approach is seen as a means to enhance the efficiency and reliability of critical components, particularly in complex applications like submarine propulsion systems.

Curtiss-Wright’s decision to incorporate metal additive manufacturing for this submarine component is also part of a broader effort to develop a more domestic supply chain for military components, ensuring the U.S. Navy has access to advanced technologies made within the United States.

Strategic Partnership for Future Naval Defense Applications
The partnership with Sintavia provides Curtiss-Wright with a strong technological foundation to deliver cutting-edge parts for naval defense applications. Sintavia’s expertise in additive manufacturing has enabled the production of complex, high-performance components that were previously difficult to achieve with traditional methods. According to David Micha, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Curtiss-Wright’s EMS Division, this collaboration has proven invaluable in advancing the use of additively manufactured parts for critical submarine programs and other defense projects.

Lindsay Lewis, Corporate Vice President at Sintavia, underscored the importance of this partnership, noting that additive technology is becoming a key differentiator in the production of high-performance defense components. As defense requirements continue to evolve, additive manufacturing will be integral in meeting these demands, providing more efficient, precise, and customizable solutions.

Curtiss-Wright’s Legacy and Future Commitment to Defense Technology
Curtiss-Wright’s Engineered Pump Division (EPD) has long been a trusted supplier of naval and maritime components, providing pumps and other critical systems for submerged and surface naval fleets worldwide. With a legacy dating back to 1847, EPD continues to be at the forefront of developing mission-critical equipment for defense applications. The division’s expertise also extends to providing spare parts, composite components, and overhaul services, ensuring that the U.S. Navy’s fleet operates with the highest levels of reliability and efficiency.

This latest development demonstrates Curtiss-Wright’s commitment to advancing additive manufacturing for defense and other critical applications, signaling the growing importance of this technology in the future of naval defense.