** Shares of 3D printing tech firm Velo3D VELO.O up 22% at $13.21 premarket after co wins $32.6 mln U.S. Defense Innovation Unit contract
** Deal supports Project FORGE, which addresses manufacturing bottlenecks in U.S. Department of War's major weapon system program
** Co to prototype and qualify additively manufactured components using its Rapid Production Solution; agreement includes option to develop largest Laser Powder Bed Fusion printing capability in the U.S.
** As of last close, VELO up 6.9% YTD
(Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru)
((tharuniyaa@thomsonreuters.com))