University of Oklahoma and ORNL establish strategic Additive Manufacturing centre for aerospace and defence
May 8, 2025
The University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman, Oklahoma, USA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA, have entered into a strategic collaboration to establish a new Additive Manufacturing centre based in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. Building on the university’s existing Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory and ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the new centre will focus on pioneering metal Additive Manufacturing solutions for aerospace and national defence needs.
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OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Defence Innovation Institute (OADII) and ORNL will collaboratively advance research, training and workforce development in metal Additive Manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, machining and data analytics.
“This long-term partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory fully aligns with the recently published update of OU’s strategic plan,” said Gen Robin Rand (USAF, ret.), OADII’s executive director. “Our deliberate push to advance Additive Manufacturing research is fuelling innovation and economic prosperity in Oklahoma and reducing risk to our nation’s defence.”
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Through OADII and the Gallogly College of Engineering, the University of Oklahoma supports US Department of Defense (DoD) priorities such as sustainment and modernisation, while ORNL brings technical capabilities in materials science and advanced manufacturing, providing the partnership with the tools and talent to scale innovation.
“Our college is thrilled to enter into this partnership,” said Zahed Siddique, associate dean for research at the Gallogly College of Engineering. “Collaborating on cutting-edge manufacturing technology will enrich the student educational experience, expand research impact and enhance economic development opportunities in Oklahoma.”
The centre is expected to play a key role in supporting sustainment and mission readiness at Tinker Air Force Base and other critical centres across the region, including the Air Force Sustainment Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
“This partnership between OU and ORNL will have substantial impact on our national security, particularly by advancing qualified Additive Manufacturing processes for the sustainment and readiness of US Air Force assets,” said Moe Khaleel, ORNL associate laboratory director for National Security Sciences. “When the great people at our two institutions get together, with our collective resources, we will do big things for the nation.”
ORNL will leverage the capabilities and lessons learned in establishing the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the nation’s foremost advanced manufacturing research environment.
“By combining ORNL’s deep expertise in advanced manufacturing with OU’s strong academic and research foundation, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem for innovation,” said Craig Blue, ORNL’s chief manufacturing officer and director of Defense Manufacturing Programs. “This collaboration is not only about advancing technology — it’s about accelerating the transition of breakthrough solutions into real-world defence applications where speed, precision and readiness matter most.”
