Snowbird Technologies, a US provider of deployable advanced manufacturing solutions, has partnered with Meltio, a manufacturer of laser metal deposition technology, to introduce a next-generation containerized hybrid manufacturing system for defense applications. The solution integrates Meltio Engine Blue into Snowbird’s newest deployable platform, enabling military teams to manufacture and repair critical parts directly where they are needed.
Built for rapid, just-in-time deployment, Snowbird’s next-generation SAMM Tech platform is a forward-deployable hybrid manufacturing system housed inside a ruggedized container. The platform includes a patented gantry-mounted manufacturing cell and combines additive and subtractive processes to support on-demand component repair, replacement, and prototype production in harsh field conditions.
Powered by Meltio Engine Blue, SAMM Tech supports expeditionary metal manufacturing at the point of need. The system is designed to reduce reliance on traditional supply chains, improve readiness, and deliver repair and production capability in remote and contested environments. It also supports hybrid material processing, allowing fabrication in both metal and plastic while maintaining safety, reliability, and supply chain resilience.
The containerized system is designed for mobility and fast deployment and is compatible with existing military logistics infrastructure. Its modular build allows operation in extreme land and maritime environments, helping defense forces manufacture, repair, and sustain mission-critical parts closer to operational zones. This reduces lead times, limits material waste, and lowers dependence on centralized production. Meltio Engine Blue enables processing of industrial metals including aluminum, titanium, and marine-grade bronze—materials widely used in defense and naval operations—supporting dependable production and repair of both structural and functional components in deployed environments.
The collaboration strengthens Meltio’s growing role in defense and expeditionary manufacturing, where hybrid production platforms are increasingly viewed as key tools for sustainment and readiness. Snowbird’s SAMM Tech platform has already been proven in naval operations, including the rapid repair of a reverse osmosis pump aboard a U.S. Navy vessel. The repair prevented an early return to port and restored freshwater generation within hours. Meltio’s wire-laser metal additive manufacturing technology has also been adopted across multiple defense programs worldwide to support onboard manufacturing, forward repair, and supply chain continuity.
Snowbird and Meltio will present the new containerized hybrid manufacturing solution at the 10th Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase (MILAM), scheduled for February 3–5, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at booth #125. MILAM is North America’s largest military-focused additive manufacturing event, bringing together government, defense, and industry leaders to review manufacturing technologies being integrated into joint-force operations.
“This collaboration further validates the value of laser-wire directed energy deposition in demanding defense environments,” said Scott Morse, Chief Executive at Snowbird Technologies. “By integrating the Meltio Engine Blue into our next-generation SAMM Tech platform, we are demonstrating how laser-wire DED can deliver dependable hybrid manufacturing at the point of need, enabling critical repair and production when traditional supply chains and infrastructure are unavailable.”
“Defense organizations require manufacturing solutions that are reliable, flexible, and deployable,” said Gabriel Ortiz, America’s Channel Manager at Meltio. “Integrating Meltio Engine Blue into Snowbird’s containerized platform shows how our technology can support expeditionary operations and help defense teams strengthen supply chain resilience and maintain readiness in challenging conditions.”
By combining Snowbird’s experience in deployable manufacturing platforms with Meltio’s industrial metal additive technology, the hybrid solution highlights the accelerating shift toward point-of-need manufacturing across defense, security, and government operations.
Snowbird Technologies is a US-based provider of expeditionary advanced manufacturing and logistics solutions for defense, government, and industrial customers. The company specializes in rugged, deployable systems that deliver hybrid additive and subtractive manufacturing at the point of need. Its platforms are designed to strengthen sustainment and repair capabilities, reduce supply chain dependence, and improve operational resilience in austere and contested environments.
Meltio develops wire-laser metal deposition technology for industrial metal additive manufacturing. The company provides metal 3D printing solutions designed to be high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable, supporting industries such as defense, energy, and manufacturing.
