Archived Awards Content
Awards issued prior to 2025 represent actions taken during previous administrations and do not necessarily reflect current investment priorities.
American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub
Lead Agency: American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center
States Served: Washington, Idaho
Applicant-Defined Region: Spokane MSA and Coeur d'Alene MSA
Core Technology Area: aerospace materials manufacturing
Contact: Maria Lusardi ([email protected])
Organizational Link: https://aerospacetechhub.com/
The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub, led by American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center, aims to develop new domestic supply chains to meet the immediate demand for high-rate production of advanced composite aerostructures in defense and commercial markets. This Tech Hub will build on the region’s established aerospace foundation; relationships among its research institutions and private sector; and existing and growing labor market to meet the growing demand for the materials that will enable higher production rates for aircraft. By developing a testbed facility to prove out high-rate methods thermoplastic composites, this Tech Hub seeks to become a global leader in making the ribs, beams, doors, and more that are critical to the next generation of lightweight aircraft.
The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub aims to enable advanced technologies and new domestic supply chains to meet both immediate and future demands for aerostructures in defense and commercial markets.
This consortium plans to:
- develop and fabricate prototypes and test elements for military and commercial applications using cutting-edge equipment specifically designed for large-scale thermoplastic composites;
- design technical specifications for producing aero-grade thermoplastic composites while exploring opportunities to reuse the material and divert waste from landfills; and
- hire staff to manage the technical functions of the testbed, coordinate with industry and academic partners to integrate the facility into workforce development efforts, and establish metrics and benchmarks to measure progress.