Auburn University just secured what is described as the largest research contract in university history. Through a new three-year project, the advanced manufacturing team from the university will help the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center boost its increasing modernization efforts.
According to Robert Dowling, AUARI director of research development, the project named “Lightweight, Advanced Manufacturing of Metallic, Polymer and Composite Structures for Aviation and Missile Weapon Systems” will aim “to enable the Army to incorporate advanced manufacturing materials and methods into existing and future aviation and missile systems.”
“To do that, we’ll develop prototype advanced manufacturing processes required to analyze, design, develop, test, integrate and sustain qualified components for existing and future aviation and missile systems. The advanced manufacturing materials we’re considering include alloys, polymers and composites. The methods will include everything from machine learning to material properties characterization,” he said.
The research team will rely on research expertise from Auburn’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS).
As a matter of fact, NCAME has already received $9.3 million of the award to push forward the development of materials, parts and process qualification necessary for furthering the implementation of Additive Manufacturing in Army operations.
This award speaks volumes about how the US Army in Huntsville, (and beyond) is placing significant value on advanced manufacturing and AM in particular, and in this specific case, on Auburn’s advanced manufacturing expertise.
This award completes the growing list of funds that are awarded across the world by defense organizations.
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