MRL awarded $25.2M to boost solid rocket motor Additive Manufacturing
Materials Resources LLC (MRL), Xenia, Ohio, USA, has announced that the US Department of Defense (secondarily referred to as the Department of War) has awarded it $25.2 million via Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to significantly expand MRL’s solid rocket motor (SRM) industrial base.
MRL’s funding is specifically allocated to demonstrate a SRM prototype production capability. Achieving this may enable the DoD to realise more agile production of SRM metallic cases through MRL’s Additive Manufacturing processes, leveraging its scalable robotic manufacturing cells.
A pivotal feature of MRL’s proposed manufacturing capabilities highlighted by the DoD is the inherent ability to routinely and quickly switch between materials and component designs, offering flexibility and responsiveness to the defence supply chain. MRL’s approach is anticipated to reduce lead times and increase the adaptability of SRM production, thereby strengthening the entire defence industrial base.
“This award represents a pivotal moment for MRL and a significant step forward for defence manufacturing,” said Dr Ayman Salem, president of MRL. “Our smart Additive Manufacturing capabilities, combined with our scalable manufacturing cells, are poised to deliver unprecedented agility in producing critical SRM components. We are immensely proud to partner with the Department of War to enhance domestic production capabilities and bolster the nation’s defence readiness.”
MRL specialises in smart manufacturing, robotic hybrid Additive Manufacturing, material data science, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML). The company provides its solutions to clients in various sectors, including defence, aerospace, space, and industrial applications.
