U.S. Air Force Builds 3D-Printed Unit Control Center at Ellsworth
The U.S. Air Force’s 28th Civil Engineer Squadron is building a Unit Control Center at Camp Lancer, Ellsworth AFB. Concrete printing is being used for exterior walls alongside conventional foundations and electrical work, with completion planned for early 2027.
id.arts reported on November 2, 2026, that the U.S. Air Force’s 28th Civil Engineer Squadron is building a Unit Control Center at Camp Lancer on Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The Air Force describes it as the first 3D-printed building in both Air Force Global Strike Command and South Dakota.
A Denver-based construction company supplied the concrete printer, which was used primarily for the exterior walls. The entire building is not printed: foundations, structural support, electrical systems, and other work use conventional construction. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s civil and environmental engineering department assisted with design.
The UCC is a proof of concept for the operational use of printed structures in deployed and contingency environments, with completion scheduled for early 2027. The project also provides cross-trade training for Airmen. Claims about practical performance, schedule, and cost still require evaluation after completion.
Key facts
- The UCC is described as the first 3D-printed building in Air Force Global Strike Command and South Dakota.
- Concrete printing was used mainly for exterior walls, with conventional methods used for other work.
- Completion is planned for early 2027, and the project remains a proof of concept.
Context
The project combines operational testing of construction printing with workforce training; schedule, cost, and durability evidence will depend on post-completion assessment.
