Official Launch of the C-IED COE 3D Repository: Enhancing Operational Readiness Through Innovation
The Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE), in close cooperation with multiple national and international partners, is proud to officially announce the launch of its 3D Repository, a digital platform designed to support counter-IED efforts through the innovative use of 3D printing technology.
This groundbreaking initiative represents a significant step forward in force preparation and training, offering NATO and Partner Nations a cost-effective, scalable, and responsive capability at the lowest tactical level. By enabling on-demand 3D printing, the repository empowers users to produce accurate training aids, replicas, and specialized components, directly supporting C-IED training, operational planning, and educational efforts.
The 3D Repository serves as a centralized hub for a wide range of resources and materials, carefully curated to meet the evolving needs of C-IED practitioners. The platform includes:
- The ability to request 3D Printable Files: Access to non-sensitive, approved 3D models of munitions, IED components, drones, weapon systems, and specialized tools to support practical training and scenario development.
- Technical Documentation: Guidance on the proper use, printing, and application of 3D models, ensuring consistency and safety across different environments.
- Event Reports & Best Practices: Releasable summaries and after-action reports from 3D-related workshops, field tests, and innovation challenges to foster knowledge sharing across the community.
- Contribute Content: Share releasable reports and internally developed or field-tested 3D models with the broader community. All submissions undergo a review process by the C-IED COE before being added to the repository.
This user-driven model ensures that the repository remains dynamic, relevant, and tailored to current operational requirements. It also fosters a culture of innovation, allowing subject matter experts across nations to contribute directly to not only shared counter-IED but also other operational and training capabilities.
As the threat landscape continues to evolve, so too, the tools and methods used to counter them. The C-IED COE 3D Repository reflects the Centre’s ongoing commitment to enhancing interoperability, readiness, and resilience across the NATO alliance and its partners.
Whether used to replicate an IED component for a classroom demonstration or to produce mission-critical training aids in a forward-deployed environment, this new capability stands to transform how C-IED training is delivered, bringing flexible, modern solutions to the forefront of defense readiness.
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