First 3D-Printed Building to Rise at Ellsworth Air Force

The pilot project provides a testing ground for construction firms interested in the feasibility of 3D-printed concrete structures.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Construction

First 3D-Printed Building to Rise at Ellsworth Air Force

Live Poll

Is now a good time to adopt 3D printing for standard building construction?

Engineers at Ellsworth Air Force Base are currently constructing the first 3D-printed building in South Dakota and the Air Force Global Strike Command. This project at Camp Lancer will serve to evaluate the performance of additive manufacturing in remote contingency environments.

Why it matters

The project serves as a testing ground for how 3D-printed structures perform in field conditions, offering potential insights for rapid deployment of infrastructure. For regional construction operators, this trial demonstrates the viability of automated concrete systems in challenging climates.

This project represents the first 3D-printed structure in South Dakota and the broader Air Force Global Strike Command. The 28th Civil Engineer Squadron is overseeing the initiative, with technical design input provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The players

28th Civil Engineer Squadron

An Air Force unit responsible for base infrastructure maintenance, rapid repair capabilities, and expeditionary construction training.

U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The academic body providing structural design and engineering oversight for the project.

The details

The facility uses a 3D concrete printing system sourced from a Denver-based firm to form exterior walls, marking a shift from manual formwork and pouring. The construction is handled by the Camp Lancer Construction Corps, a unit designed to provide personnel with cross-functional training in tasks outside their primary specialties. This approach tests the feasibility of using limited-skill teams to erect permanent infrastructure in austere or contingency environments.

The 3D-printed structure is scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Market Landscape

This project represents an expansion of current Air Force Global Strike Command infrastructure modernization initiatives. It marks a transition from traditional manual construction towards adopting additive manufacturing techniques for remote contingency environments.

Commercial operators should monitor this project to gauge the maturation of 3D-concrete printing in cold-weather climates. Watch for future reports on the structural integrity of the walls, as this will determine if the technology is ready for adoption in private, remote-site builds.

The takeaway

This project highlights the growing interest in using automated on-site manufacturing to solve labor and supply chain bottlenecks in challenging locations. Operators should track the 2027 completion report to evaluate if 3D printing offers a viable cost-benefit for their own modular projects.

What happens next

The project is expected to reach completion by early 2027, at which point the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron will report on the structural performance of the printed concrete in the local environment.