On September 22, 2026, Australian wire arc additive manufacturing company AML3D (ASX: AL3) announced its participation in a three-year advanced aerospace manufacturing R&D project with total participant investment of approximately AUD 3.89 million. Partners include an unnamed global aerospace OEM (a prime contractor responsible for overall design, development, and manufacturing of large-scale aerospace systems) and several industrial and research institutions. The project aims to mature its WAM wire arc additive manufacturing technology to aviation tooling certification production level. AML3D will invest approximately AUD 530,000 over three years (about AUD 130,000 in cash plus approximately AUD 400,000 in in-kind contributions such as personnel), with no revenue generated during the project period; the company will supply approximately 150 kg of Invar-36 mandrel tooling parts. AML3D already holds AS9100D aerospace quality management system certification. CEO Sean Ebert stated that the 24-month lead time for aviation tooling is a supply chain pain point, and WAM is expected to significantly shorten it. Industry significance: Following its mass production order for copper-nickel components for U.S. Navy nuclear submarines, AML3D is replicating its 'certify first, then mass produce' pathway in the aviation tooling track—after certification is completed, subsequent procurement and production orders can be obtained through independent commercial agreements, forming a potential alternative to the tooling supply chains of OEMs such as Boeing and Airbus. Value for powder buyers: ① This project follows the wire feedstock route (WAM), so its direct pull on powder demand is limited; ② If subsequent aviation tooling certification expands to the LPBF route, it will drive certification demand for tool steel/Invar/titanium alloy powders; ③ The 24-month tooling lead time pain point also exists in China's aviation supply chain, and domestic additive manufacturing service providers can benchmark and position accordingly.