Wichita State University awarded $100 million to bring advanced manufacturing to US Army ground transport fleet
March 14, 2023
Wichita State University, Kansas, USA, has reported that its National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has been awarded a $100 million contract from the US Army to advance and modernise the army’s ground transportation fleet.
The five-year Modernisation of Integrated Technology for Ground Systems (MINT-GS) award comes from the Materials Division, Advanced Manufacturing of the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan.
The mission of the MINT-GS programme is to develop innovative tools, methodologies and qualification framework for advanced manufacturing processes and materials, allowing for the modernisation and sustainment of ground vehicle and ground vehicle components. It supports GVSC’s mission to provide soldiers with enhanced capabilities and to ensure readiness.
The programme will leverage NIAR’s knowledge, capabilities and experience in advanced manufacturing, material and part development and qualification, and digital twin. NIAR’s initial projects are focused on rapid qualification of metal Additive Manufacturing through Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes.
The cooperative agreement includes nine potential sub-recipient universities, including Auburn University, which is focusing on materials, parts and process qualification. Rachael Andrulonis, NIAR director of advanced materials research, serves as principal investigator and director; and John Tomblin, WSU senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director, serves as alternative director.
“Through this programme, the US Army GVSC will capitalise on multiple areas of expertise at Wichita State, including advanced materials development and qualification expertise,” stated Tomblin. “It is a unique opportunity for the Wichita manufacturing industry and WSU students to connect with a new division of the US Army.”
This is the largest single award for Wichita State in the 2023 fiscal year and is equal to 2022’s largest award of $100 million from the US Air Force for the B-1’s digital engineering transformation.
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