US Army looks to 3D printing to make military rations more convenient

Scientists at the Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in Massachusetts are currently researching ways that the United States Army could utilize 3D printers to create meals and rations for American soldiers.

“It could reduce costs because it could eventually be used to print food on demand,” food technologist Mary Scerra tells Army Technology Magazine. “For example, you would like a sandwich, where I would like ravioli. You would print what you want and eliminate wasted food.”

Research into 3D-printed food isn’t exactly new, scientists have been working on ways to feed astronauts using 3D-printing techniques, but the technology does have a few unique benefits for deployed soldiers.

For starters, meals could be custom made for individuals in order to ensure that they receive the specific nutrients that their body needs. Soldiers who are suffering from a particular deficiency would be able to have a meal that is made specifically for their body.

Researchers are also investigating how the technology could also be used to increase the shelf life of rations, which currently have a life span of about three years. Equipping soldiers with 3D printers could also potentially reduce the cost of importing food into combat zones.

“The technologies may or may not originate at NSRDEC, but we will advance them as needed to make them suitable for military field feeding needs,’ said food technologist Lauren Oleksyk. “We will do what we can to make them suitable for both military and commercial applications.”

There is, as of yet, no specific dates to suggest when 3D printers could actually be used by soldiers. If this technology ever does makes its way to the battlefield, it would make military meals much more convenient, but probably won’t do much to make the meals more palatable. Scientists have described the 3D-printed food as a “nutrient-dense, shelf-stable product”. Doesn’t sound very appetizing.

Read more about the story at Motherboard.

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