In my job, I get to see some amazing military technology: high-speed weapons that penetrate seemingly impregnable defenses and swarming microdrones dispensed from fighter jets.

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I keep mementos of these wonder weapons in my office. Something unusual just joined their ranks: a latrine panel from a C-5 Supergalaxy cargo plane. It’s an odd-looking piece of molded plastic, about the size of a toaster, and its job containing wastewater is more necessary than cool. But I keep it in my office because it represents a significant advance in military parts purchasing. Using a 3D printer, our Air Force engineers made this latrine panel for $300, saving $8,200 compared to the open market prices we once paid through the Defense Logistics Agency.

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Though our military is replete with cutting-edge equipment like stealth aircraft and flying emergency rooms, there’s a […]

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