3D Systems Projects Over 20% Revenue Growth in Aerospace & Defense by 2026
3D Systems announced significant momentum in its Aerospace & Defense business, including robust revenue growth projections, a major U.S. facility expansion, and key technological advancements. These initiatives position the company to capitalize on rising demand for secure, U.S.-based manufacturing in national security and space applications-further supported by recent provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 that restrict foreign-sourced 3D printing systems for Department of Defense programs, creating additional tailwinds for domestic providers. Complementary global operations continue to support international customers valuing regional production and worldwide expertise-driving sustained revenue growth, margin expansion, and shareholder value. Key Highlights: Strong Revenue Trajectory: The A&D business is forecasted to have grown over 15% in 2025, accelerating to more than 20% in 2026. Revenue from production printing systems and custom metal parts-core recurring elements of the business-is expected to exceed $35 million in 2026, driven by increasing adoption in high-reliability defense and space programs, with further upside from NDAA-related demand shifts. Projected Business Leadership: After several years of sustained double-digit growth, A&D is on track to become 3D Systems' largest and fastest-growing industrial business in 2026, fueled by rising demand across crewed/uncrewed aircraft, naval platforms, defense systems, rocket propulsion, and satellite systems. Strategic Capacity Expansion: 3D Systems is adding up to 80,000 square feet to its Littleton, Colo., facility, significantly enhancing its A&D Application Center of Excellence. This phased investment expands capacity for application development, process qualification, validation, and production-scale manufacturing-supporting accelerated innovation and strengthened domestic supply chain resilience. Fully Qualified Production Scaling: The Littleton facility has been selected for certification under the America Makes JAQS-SQ framework. This effort, under the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, in collaboration with the National Institute for Aviation Research aims to scale defense industrial base capabilities for qualified additive manufacturing production, enabling accelerated qualification and deployment of additively manufactured defense components. This leverages the company's extensive Littleton quality infrastructure established through its medical technology business, where high-performance metal implants for patients have been manufactured over many years, such as titanium implants created on the DMP 350 system. Next-Generation Metal Printing Platform: The company is progressing on schedule in its multi-phase, $18.5M U.S. Air Force-sponsored program to develop next-generation laser powder-bed fusion technologies for large format, high-efficiency metal part production. These technologies are essential for the application of metal 3D printing to an expanding range of U.S. defense systems. Key program milestones remain on track through 2027. Unique Fully-Domestic U.S. Ecosystem: When completed in 2027, 3D Systems will stand alone as the only U.S. provider of a complete, end-to-end metal additive manufacturing ecosystem entirely onshore for large-frame metal printing systems encompassing system design next-generation printer manufacturing, and certified metal parts production with advanced application development. This uniquely positions the company to meet growing demand for secure domestic supply chains. Complementary Global Capabilities: Paralleling the company's U.S. A&D infrastructure, European operations provide aerospace-focused design and application expertise in Leuven, Belgium, and metal printer production in Riom, France-directly supporting European, Korean, Japanese, and other international A&D customers. In addition, the NAMI joint venture in Saudi Arabia-now the Kingdom's first AS/EN 9100-certified additive manufacturing provider-is advancing localized A&D solutions, including a collaboration with Lockheed Martin to qualify and manufacture mission-critical components within the Kingdom for global markets.
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- Highest Short Interest: SU Group Holdings (SUGP) has a short interest of 28.95%, indicating strong bearish sentiment towards its future performance, which could impact its stock price stability and investor confidence.
- Other High Shorted Stocks: NANO Nuclear Energy (NNE) and Enovix (ENVX) have short interests of 25.10% and 24.88%, respectively, reflecting investor concerns about their profitability and market outlook, potentially increasing liquidity risks.
- Lowest Short Interest: Ozop Energy Solutions (OZSCD) and Fuel Tech (FTEK) both have a short interest of 0.55%, suggesting higher market confidence in these companies, which may attract more investor interest in their growth potential.
- Overall Market Trend: The short interest across the industrial sector is broadly distributed without a clear standout, indicating a cautious investor sentiment that could affect future capital inflows and industry development.
- Stock Price Decline: 3D Systems' shares fell 2.73% to $2.14 on Tuesday, marking the eighth consecutive session of decline, indicating market concerns about the company's future performance.
- Poor Profitability Ratings: According to Seeking Alpha's ratings, DDD received a D for profitability and momentum, while its valuation score was B+, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by the company despite some positive aspects.
- Cost-Saving Initiatives: Management indicated during the Q3 earnings call that DDD is on track to achieve its $50 million annualized savings target by 2026, which could potentially improve cash flow conditions in the future.
- Revenue Decline: The latest earnings report revealed a 19.2% year-over-year drop in revenue to $91.2 million, missing market expectations, which further exacerbates investor concerns regarding the company's financial health.
- EPS Revision Analysis: As the earnings season approaches, several mid to low-cap industrial stocks have received an 'F' grade for earnings momentum, indicating significant downward pressure on analyst expectations for future earnings.
- Affected Companies: Companies such as Alight (ALIT), Alaska Air Group (ALK), and Apogee Enterprises (APOG) have all received an 'F' grade, highlighting severe challenges to their earnings outlook.
- Market Reaction Expectations: These companies may face cautious investor sentiment due to factors like heavy debt and high customer churn rates, which could negatively impact their stock performance.
- Industry Outlook: Despite the current poor EPS revision grades, the market remains optimistic about the industrial sector's prospects for 2026, potentially providing support for future investment opportunities.

- Conference Schedule: 3D Systems will present at the 28th Annual Needham Growth Conference on January 13, 2026, from 12:45 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. Eastern Time, showcasing the latest advancements in the 3D printing sector.
- Executive Participation: The presentation will be co-hosted by President and CEO Jeff Graves and Interim CFO Phyllis Nordstrom, highlighting the company's commitment to investor communication from its leadership.
- Live Webcast: The presentation will be available via live webcast and replay on the investor relations section of the company’s website, ensuring that investors can access key information promptly, thereby enhancing transparency.
- Company Background: For nearly 40 years, 3D Systems has been transforming product design and manufacturing through 3D printing technologies, serving high-value markets such as medical, aerospace, and durable goods, demonstrating its leadership in the additive manufacturing industry.
- Contract Award: Velo3D secured a $32.6 million contract with the Department of War aimed at alleviating production bottlenecks in critical weapons systems through its Project FORGE initiative, thereby enhancing the stability of defense supply chains.
- Technology Integration: The project incorporates metal additive manufacturing into production processes, which not only accelerates delivery times but also reduces reliance on traditional machining methods, improving overall production efficiency.
- Partnerships: Velo3D will collaborate with the U.S. Navy and the Defense Innovation Unit to design and qualify 3D-printed parts that meet military standards, ensuring scalable production capabilities to meet defense requirements.
- Market Reaction: Following the contract announcement, Velo3D's stock surged 11.45% in premarket trading to $12.07 per share, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's potential in the defense sector.
- Commercial Acceleration: The FDA's clearance for 3D Systems' VSP®Orthopedics platform to include skeletally mature adolescents eliminates the need for case-by-case approvals, streamlining hospital workflows and converting previously off-label procedures into standard reimbursable surgeries, significantly enhancing market access efficiency.
- Market Potential: With over 1,200 new annual U.S. cases of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma in adolescents, along with an additional 2,600 cases in young adults, the expanded indications will address a high-demand segment, driving growth in the company's medical technology sector.
- Sustainable Financial Model: VSP Orthopedics cases generate revenue through virtual planning service fees and patient-specific 3D-printed models, supporting double-digit annual growth rates and high gross margins in 3D Systems' Med Tech business, ensuring ongoing financial health.
- Strengthened Competitive Moat: As the only provider with FDA-cleared VSP solutions across craniomaxillofacial and orthopedic applications, 3D Systems has delivered over 400,000 patient-matched cases, further solidifying its market position in personalized healthcare solutions.










