This legislation seeks to enhance the Department of Defense's (DoD) innovation and advanced manufacturing capacity, particularly within the defense industrial base. A key provision establishes a prohibition on the operation or procurement of additive manufacturing machines manufactured in or by entities domiciled in covered foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. This restriction also applies to systems using software or data storage from these countries, though exceptions exist for intelligence-related testing and national interest waivers.

To bolster domestic capabilities, the bill amends existing law to include commercial advanced, digital manufacturing facilities for rapid, distributed parts production. It mandates the establishment of one or more dual-use advanced manufacturing hubs that co-locate public and private stakeholders, spanning the full spectrum of advanced manufacturing. These hubs must utilize DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs), provide shared infrastructure, leverage the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Joint Additive Manufacturing Model Exchange (JAMMEX), and meet annual production benchmarks.

The legislation sets ambitious goals, requiring the Secretary of Defense to aim for the qualification and approval of not fewer than 1,000,000 DoD parts using advanced manufacturing techniques by December 31, 2027. It mandates specific programs, including one to additively manufacture parts for various unmanned aerial system (UAS) categories and another for military systems facing diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages, requiring testing, data sharing, and new IP licensing. Further programs direct the additive manufacturing of commonly used metal parts and parts for ground combat systems with sustainment vulnerabilities.

To ensure broad integration, the bill calls for enhanced international coordination through a working group focused on information-sharing and R&D with allied nations. It mandates comprehensive advanced manufacturing guidance and a manual by September 30, 2026, to incorporate innovations, ensure quality, and prioritize domestic sourcing. This guidance will update DoD Instruction 5000.93, establish technical standards based on performance, and cover cybersecurity, IP management, quality assurance, and training programs across the DoD.