U.S. Army to Replace Soldier Meals with 3D-Printed Food

It seems there may one day be no limit to what 3D printers can produce. From weapons to mechanical components and even human organs, the application for these revolutionary devices is already reshaping our collective idea of what is possible through technology. And now, the United States Army is looking to exploit 3D printer technology to provide ready-made meals and rations for soldiers in the field. 

According to the Verge, scientists at the Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center in Massachusetts are working on creating mobile versions of 3D printers that could provide food on the go to soldiers fighting abroad.

According to one researcher, Mary Scerra, such mobile technology could "reduce costs because it could eventually be used to print food on demand," she said. 

"For example, you would like a sandwich, where I would like ravioli. You would print what you want and eliminate wasted food."

3D printers are also being tested to serve astronauts orbiting Earth, but this new application for soldiers could have some very specific situational benefits. Imagine being able to customize meals based on specific mission parameters or for certain individuals based on specific health needs.

Another benefit of 3D printed rations is shelf life; researchers are seeking ways to extend rations' shelf life beyond the current 3 year limit. 

Ultimately, researchers hope to develop this technology to the point where soldiers could forage for raw materials to power their mobile 3D printers, and thus make their food by re-purposing virtually any organic matter. 

As amazing as the application of this technology could one day be, scientists confess that there is currently no timetable for when the US Army, or any other field operatives, can expect to have mobile 3D printers serving them breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

If and when 3D printers do make their way into the field, scientists aren't guaranteeing they'll produce the best tasting products. The ideal soldier meals researchers are working to produce are said to be "nutrient-dense, shelf-stable product." That sounds closer to "yuck" than "yum."

But if some people are already making 3D-printed dinosaur cookies, soldiers' food can't be that far off, right?