DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’

DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’
DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’

“The current and future strategic environment requires immediate, comprehensive, and decisive action in strengthening and modernizing our defense industrial base ecosystem to ensure the security of the United States and our allies and partners. As this strategy makes clear, we must act now,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks writes in a forward to the new National Defense Industrial Strategy. 

China Bill Doubles DARPA’s Budget, Adds $52B For US Chips

China Bill Doubles DARPA’s Budget, Adds $52B For US Chips
China Bill Doubles DARPA’s Budget, Adds $52B For US Chips

“This is a strong start,” Sen. Sasse said of the 2,400-page, $250 billion legislation designed to bolster the US in its competition with China.

Air Force To Try Space-Based 3D Printing: Roper

Air Force To Try Space-Based 3D Printing: Roper
Air Force To Try Space-Based 3D Printing: Roper

The US, Russia and China all could be building things in space within 15 years, an IDA study found.

‘Advanced Manufacturing Olympics’ To Shape New Air Force Strategy

‘Advanced Manufacturing Olympics’ To Shape New Air Force Strategy
‘Advanced Manufacturing Olympics’ To Shape New Air Force Strategy

“Advanced manufacturing, scaled across the entire Air Force and Space Force, will transform sustainment,” Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett says.

Army Dissects Black Hawk Helo, Scans Parts For 3D Printing

Army Dissects Black Hawk Helo, Scans Parts For 3D Printing
Army Dissects Black Hawk Helo, Scans Parts For 3D Printing

Before you can 3D print a part, you need a detailed 3D model of it. So Army Material Command is figuring out how to scan tens of thousands of parts. One method: pull apart an entire helicopter.

Replacing Spatulas With Robots At Army Ammo Plants

Replacing Spatulas With Robots At Army Ammo Plants
Replacing Spatulas With Robots At Army Ammo Plants

A worker died in 2017 scooping up explosive tetrazene by hand with a spatula. The Army and Congress agree an upgrade is long overdue — but it won’t be cheap.

AF ‘Olympics’ Seeks To Speed 3D Printing Capabilities

AF ‘Olympics’ Seeks To Speed 3D Printing Capabilities
AF ‘Olympics’ Seeks To Speed 3D Printing Capabilities

Gen. Arnold Bunch, head of Air Materiel Command, said that 64 teams are competing in the Advanced Manufacturing Olympics for a total of $1 million in prize winnings.

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Raytheon: Robotized Factory Speeds Up Army LTAMDS Radar

Raytheon: Robotized Factory Speeds Up Army LTAMDS Radar
Raytheon: Robotized Factory Speeds Up Army LTAMDS Radar

The company is using extensive automation and a new generation of high-efficiency gallium nitride materials to accelerate development of the Lower-Tier Air & Missile Defense Sensor, LTAMDS.

Army Secretary Ramps Up 3D Printing

Army Secretary Ramps Up 3D Printing
Army Secretary Ramps Up 3D Printing

A new policy orders organizations across the Army to embrace advanced manufacturing to “fundamentally change” both modernization and readiness.

Huntington-Ingalls Sinks $2B Into Shipyards: Digital Plans & Computerized Welding

Huntington-Ingalls Sinks $2B Into Shipyards: Digital Plans & Computerized Welding
Huntington-Ingalls Sinks $2B Into Shipyards: Digital Plans & Computerized Welding

“Each of your crafts — electrical, pipefitting, pipe-welding, painting, your riggers… still require some human touch,” Kastner told me. “Digital tools… free the craftsman up a bit to not do the grunt work.”

Hagel Lists Key Technologies For US Military; Launches ‘Offset Strategy’

Hagel Lists Key Technologies For US Military; Launches ‘Offset Strategy’
Hagel Lists Key Technologies For US Military; Launches ‘Offset Strategy’

[UPDDATED with Hagel memo & expert comment] REAGAN LIBRARY: After months of build-up, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel formally launched the military’s quest for a combination of new technologies to maintain America’s military supremacy over the next 20 years in the face of Russian and Chinese challenges. In a speech before the second Reagan National Defense Forum here, Hagel divulged…