The mortar tube was designed using additive manufacturing for the U.S. Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC).
The design of the prototype mortar tube utilizes 3D printed materials to mimic the abilities of one made from conventional materials. The receiver and firing mechanism housing are manufactured with polylactic acid (PLA) and the internal components of the firing mechanism are manufactured with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).