14 DAY TRIAL // No one really likes the taste of food rations, but they are a necessary evil during a long engagement or scouting mission that is expected to last for days. Now, though, 3D printing technology may change what soldiers get to eat.
3D printed food has been causing quite a ruckus on the world stage. Most attempts have focused on making the meals look good, and at least replicate the taste of pizza, or whatever else the meal was supposed to look like.
The US Army has never been particularly worried about how food looks, but a good meal can really boost morale. Thus, it is definitely looking into possibilities of using 3D printing technology to provide soldiers with the nutrients they need in a more appealing form than tasteless bars.
The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) is seeking ways to adapt the technology for its own food processing and developing techniques.
They have met with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory and explored the prospect of using 3D printing to make army rations starting in the near future. And not just rations, but actual food usable on the battlefield could be 3D printed. Custom meals even, like sandwiches, ravioli, pizza, etc.
Admittedly, the plans are a few steps beyond, say, better looking goop for the elderly, but not at all impossible. Soldiers would be able to not only choose the “meal” but also input the nutrients needed to restore their full ability after a harrowing mission or firefight (carbs vs. vitamins or sugar, protein, etc). No time frame exists for practical applications though.