DoD initiates pilot program for the manufacturing of commercial, military technology

The U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Policy Office recently launched a manufacturing pilot program with the Austin Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI) in Austin, Texas.

The Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Program initiative is slated to focus on advanced manufacturing technology for commercial and military applications that can be rapidly scaled to production.

“Our support enables the United States to more effectively harness innovation in manufacturing, enhance supply chain resiliency, and develop a more robust industrial base that is well prepared to meet the needs of American strategic interests while developing a future workforce for advanced chemical manufacturing,” Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante said. “This pilot program is a first step in finding new and creative solutions to innovate within the American manufacturing sector.”

The DPA Title III Program is dedicated to ensuring the timely availability of essential domestic industrial resources to support national defense and homeland security requirements presently and in the future.

Additionally, ACMI is an ecosystem for innovation in the manufacturing sector. It consists of capital, properties, and center segments collectively supporting an operationally-oriented approach to aid early-stage hardware companies.

“We are proud to have been selected to help advance the Department of Defense’s industrial priorities at this critical point in our nation’s history,” ACMI Founder John Burer said. “Leveraging private capital and market forces will allow us to deliver an efficient and sustainable solution for these areas.”

The pilot program will operate for 24 months and focus on manufacturing inert chemicals for energetic applications used by the military in munitions and the commercial sector in agriculture products.