How much is Auburn University's advanced manufacturing expertise worth to the U.S. Army? Up to $50 million.

This is a new three-year major research contract, the largest single major research contract ever awarded to Auburn University, designed to help strengthen the modernization efforts of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Air and Missile Center. This is the total cost of the project.

The project, titled “Lightweight and Advanced Manufacturing of Metals, Polymers, and Composite Structures for Aviation and Missile Weapons Systems,” will be facilitated through the Auburn University Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville and will include the Auburn National Additive will rely extensively on the research expertise of the drug center. Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS).

“Our primary objective is to enable the Army to incorporate advanced manufacturing materials and methods into existing and future aviation and missile systems,” said Robert Dowling, AUARI's director of research and development. Ta. “To that end, we will develop advanced manufacturing processes for the prototypes needed to analyze, design, develop, test, integrate and maintain qualified components for existing and future aviation and missile systems. Advanced manufacturing materials include alloys, polymers, and composites. Methods include everything from machine learning to characterization of material properties.”

Regarding the latter, $9.3 million of the award has already been allocated to NCAME, which will support industry-leading research into the materials, components, and process qualifications needed to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing in Army operations. used to continue.

“While existing and future aviation and missile systems will be the direct beneficiaries of this project, successful results may also be applicable to other government advanced manufacturing projects,” Dowling said. “A great deal of effort has gone into developing this opportunity. We are excited to get to work.”

Steve Taylor, Auburn University's senior vice president for research and economic development, agreed.

“Obviously, this is an important accomplishment for Auburn's research enterprise and applied research labs,” Taylor said. “But it also speaks volumes about how Huntsville and other Army partners place great value on Auburn's research in advanced manufacturing, which is a key research focus area at Samuel Zinn Institute of Technology.” It is no exaggeration to say that it is paying off.”

Dowling also said the project is specifically designed to meet one of the AUARI administration's stated goals: creating a pipeline for real-time engagement between stakeholders at Huntsville's defense department and Auburn University's main campus. It is said to have been made in.

“This award demonstrates that combining our core research expertise with our customer proximity and knowledge can create significant opportunities for faculty and students,” Dowling said. “AUARI’s proximity to Redstone Arsenal and familiarity with Army customers and missions allows the AUARI team to develop a highly responsive proposal that is representative of Auburn’s broad research capabilities both on campus and in Huntsville. I was able to.”

In other words, mission accomplished.

“Provost Roberts’ vision for Auburn is built around dreaming bigger, being bolder and taking our research efforts to the next level,” Taylor said. “This historic award does just that.”