WASHINGTON –
The mission of the Defense Department Manufacturing Technology Program is to reduce the cost and time to manufacture critical defense weapons and systems through the development and application of advanced manufacturing technologies.
"[DOD ManTech] has a critical responsibility to execute advanced manufacturing technologies and processes to improve our nation's security and economic prosperity," said Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering and chief technology officer, while showcasing Pentagon displays of DOD ManTech-led advanced technologies.
The program, he said, is designed to increase military readiness and lethality, and to rebuild America's defense industrial base with technologies that are second to none.
DOD ManTech sponsors manufacturing innovation institutes across the country, while also collaborating with universities and a wide range of government agencies.
"Each institute is a public-private partnership designed to overcome the challenge of developing state-of-the-art solutions, applied research and manufacturing technology ecosystems that are otherwise beyond the reach of most businesses," said DOD ManTech director Keith DeVries.
Some of the many innovative technologies being developed include: additively manufactured rocket engines and parts, improved hypersonic ramjet engines, advanced metallics, wearable health sensors for biomonitoring service members, autonomous drone inspection systems to scan ships for defects, electrochemical machining for cannon barrel manufacturing and a new welding process for thermoplastic composite aircraft parts.