Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec announced that its Additive Technologies Center, operating under United Engine Corporation, completed the 3D printing of a batch of small arms components within a 24-hour period.
The state corporation reported on Telegram that the production batch consisted of combined muzzle brake-compensator-flash hiders for small arms. The components were manufactured from domestically sourced Russian titanium powder using selective laser melting technology.
Alexey Mazalov, the general director of the Additive Technologies Center, said that the precise selection of raw materials and printing parameters made it possible to shorten manufacturing timelines and reduce the final cost of each individual workpiece.
Industrial additive manufacturing
The Additive Technologies Center functions as a specialized facility under United Engine Corporation, known as ODK. As a subsidiary of Rostec, United Engine Corporation primarily develops and manufactures gas turbine engines for military and civil aviation, space exploration programs, and power generation infrastructure. The Additive Technologies Center focuses on industrial 3D printing to produce precision engineering components for defense and aerospace applications.
Selective laser melting is an advanced additive manufacturing process that uses high-energy laser beams to fuse fine metallic powder particles layer by layer into finished solid components. The process allows manufacturers to produce complex geometric shapes without relying on traditional metal machining.
Using Russian titanium powder provides high structural strength, heat resistance, and low total weight for firearm attachments. Titanium is widely favored in defense engineering because it withstands high combustion temperatures and gas pressures while keeping weapon hardware lightweight.
Muzzle brake-compensator-flash hiders perform three distinct tactical roles on firearm barrels. Muzzle brakes redirect expanding combustion gas to reduce felt recoil, compensators limit vertical muzzle climb during rapid firing, and flash hiders suppress the visible light emitted by burning gunpowder.
Global trends and battlefield logistics
The production of specialized firearm attachments comes as weapons manufacturers monitor changes in infantry equipment design. Kalashnikov Concern specialist Georgy Gubich previously stated that the creation of shortened versions of full-size small arms is connected to a global trend in firearm development. Kalashnikov Concern is Russia's primary firearm manufacturer, best known for producing AK series assault rifles.
Additive manufacturing is also being explored for front-line military logistics beyond firearm attachments. In July, the Telegram channel Military Chronicle reported that American defense technology startup Firestorm proposed 3D-printing unmanned drones directly along the line of combat contact. Firestorm is a United States startup focused on modular unmanned aerial vehicles and automated expeditionary production.
