America Makes, in partnership with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), has announced a $1.1 million project aimed at strengthening additive manufacturing (AM) interoperability between the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD). The initiative, part of the Allied Additive Manufacturing Interoperability (AAMI) Program, is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Manufacturing Technology Office.
The project will focus on laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), a key AM technology used for producing critical components. Two awards are expected to be granted under the program.
Project Goals and Industry Challenges
According to America Makes, additive manufacturing provides advantages such as reduced lead times, customization, and on-demand production. However, challenges remain in scalability, supply chain integration, and standardizing qualification processes.
Both the U.S. and UK face common obstacles in areas such as process certification, intellectual property management, and secure data transmission. This initiative aligns with the UK Advanced Manufacturing Strategy and the U.S. Regional Sustainment Framework, aiming to develop a resilient, globally connected defense supply chain.
Ben DiMarco, Technology Transition Director at America Makes, stated that the current defense sustainment model relies on legacy materials and processes that may not fully meet modern operational needs. “This initiative advances qualification methodologies for AM while accelerating real-world implementation, ensuring tangible benefits for allied defense operations,” he said.
Project Timeline and Key Dates
The project call was officially launched on March 4, 2025, and included a virtual Industry Day on March 11. Important upcoming deadlines for participation include:
- March 26 – Deadline for proposer questions
- April 4 – Intent to submit deadline
- April 21 – Membership eligibility deadline
- May 5 – Final proposal submissions
The initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance collaboration in advanced manufacturing and strengthen supply chain resilience between the U.S. and UK defense sectors.
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