REDARC Defence & Space to manufacture Redback IFV electronic components using Trumpf TruPrint 3000 metal 3D printer

REDARC Defence & Space Pty Ltd has secured a manufacturing contract to produce critical electrical and control system components for the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) under the Australian Army LAND 400 Phase 3 program. Operating from its Lonsdale facility in South Australia, REDARC will manufacture the electronic nervous system, including power distribution and signal routing units, in partnership with Hanwha Defence Australia. The production utilizes the Trumpf TruPrint 3000, a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) system, to create complex, ruggedized geometries required for high-reliability defense electronics. This collaboration involves Hanwha Defence Australia CEO Ben Hudson and REDARC Executive General Manager Scott Begbie to ensure local sovereign capability.

The integration of LPBF technology into the production of defense electronics addresses the need for high-performance, lightweight, and thermally efficient components that traditional subtractive manufacturing cannot easily achieve. By utilizing the TruPrint 3000, REDARC can produce intricate internal cooling channels and consolidated assemblies that improve the reliability of the Redback's mobility and communication management systems. This move places REDARC within a specialized tier of the defense supply chain, moving beyond standard PCB assembly into high-value additive manufacturing for ruggedized hardware. The project aligns with the broader Australian defense strategy to strengthen sovereign industrial bases and reduce reliance on overseas component manufacturing for critical armored platforms.

For REDARC, the successful deployment of the TruPrint 3000 in a defense production environment requires strict adherence to aerospace and defense-grade qualification standards for metal AM parts. The company must now focus on scaling these LPBF processes to meet the production cadence required by Hanwha's assembly timelines for the Redback fleet. Buyers and defense contractors should note the increasing reliance on metal AM for the structural and thermal management components of electronic housings in modern combat vehicles.