The barracks, which house 72 soldiers each, are the largest 3D-printed structures in the Western Hemisphere.

Newsweek contacted the Defense Innovation Unit for more information about the project's success via email.

The U.S. Army's use of 3D printing marks a major step forward in military construction and opens up possibilities for the future use of this technology. The army could reduce construction costs, speed up deployment, and enhance the durability of infrastructure in both domestic and combat settings if 3D printing is used more widely.

Constructed using mold-resistant materials, the barracks were unveiled at Fort Bliss, Texas, on January 30. It is engineered to withstand various environmental challenges, including severe weather and seismic activity.

The project is a collaboration between the Department of Defense and ICON, an Austin-based construction technology firm. ICON used a large gantry-style 3D printer to make the buildings out of a "Lavacrete" material.

In images released by the army, the barracks can be seen furnished with beds and storage units, as well as windows and ventilation

This initiative is part of the U.S. Army's Defense Innovation Unit, which aims to explore new construction methods that could deliver durable and energy-efficient housing solutions for service members at lower costs.

This project is not the first time ICON has collaborated with the military. In 2021, ICON worked with the Texas Military Department to build a similar structure at Camp Swift Training Center in Bastrop, producing a 3,800-square-foot training barracks using similar 3D printing methods.

The army is exploring ways that 3D printing technology can be used abroad in combat situations.

They always leave out the details that matter

COST AND TIME.

Seems like a puff piece by the company to showcase their project with the USA army. Question still remains why hasn’t 3D printing really taken off plus what is the actual useful life of these structures.