Nikon Announces COTA Contract for Two-Metre Metal AM Systems-3DPTimes

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Nikon Announces COTA Contract for Two-Metre Metal AM Systems

October 23, 2026 News 3DPTimes Editorial | Source: Nikon SLM Solutions company announcement, October 22, 2026. 18

The October 22 announcement covers multiple customized NXG-E-based systems for a US industrial-base program, with work planned at Nikon’s Long Beach technology center.

Illustrative archive photograph of laser powder-bed fusion equipment: a Renishaw AM400 at the University of Pavia’s 3DMetal@UniPV laboratory, December 6, 2018. This is not a Nikon system, the Long Beach facility, or the COTA contract event. Photo: MaurizioRossinFoto / Università di Pavia. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inaugurazione_del_3DMetal@UniPV_6_dicembre_2018_(44469366670).jpg . License: CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ . Resolution reduced; content unchanged.

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing has announced a US government contract to develop and deliver customized metal additive manufacturing systems under the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program. The company disclosed the award on October 22.

Awarded through the Cornerstone Other Transaction Authority, or COTA, the contract covers multiple laser powder-bed fusion machines based on Nikon SLM Solutions’ NXG-E platform. The customized systems are to have a two-metre vertical build capability. Nikon identifies Tomahawk missile mid-bodies and similar potential applications as the program’s intended scope.

The work will be carried out at the Nikon AM Technology Center in Long Beach, California. According to the company, the systems will support prototype manufacturing and expansion of production capacity. The center combines printing equipment with engineering, laboratory and qualification resources.

The announcement describes a funded development and equipment-delivery program. It does not specify the exact number of machines, contract value or delivery schedule, and does not announce completed deliveries or production acceptance. Those details will determine how quickly the award becomes operational capacity.

Primary source: Nikon SLM Solutions, October 22, 2026:
https://nikon-slm-solutions.com/newsroom/nikon-advanced-manufacturing-announces-contract-with-department-of-war-cornerstone-other-transaction-authority-cota-for-tomahawk-production/