Austal USA welcomed senior officials from the United States Navy for a meeting and tour of its additive manufacturing facility in Danville on October 21, 2023. This center, utilizing advanced technologies, supports the Navy's manufacturing capabilities in various areas such as producing key components and fleet maintenance.
Technological Advancements in Additive Manufacturing
During the visit, the Navy delegation witnessed significant advancements in additive manufacturing that could enhance the military capabilities of the United States. This technology allows the Navy to produce and maintain parts more quickly, resulting in improved fleet performance.
Read more: International Seminar on Auxiliary Wind Propulsion Systems Hosted by ClassNK
Gene Miller, President of Austal USA, stated: "We are pleased to welcome Admiral Kilby and Navy leadership back to our additive manufacturing center and showcase the advanced capabilities developed in Danville. The advancements made in additive manufacturing and advanced inspection techniques will enhance the Navy's ability to produce critical parts and maintain the fleet with greater speed and flexibility. Austal USA is proud to support this important mission and contribute to building the technical expertise, industrial capacity, and partnerships needed to advance maritime readiness in the decades to come."
Mission of the Additive Manufacturing Center
The mission of the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCoE) is to create production capacity and capability in the submarine and maritime industrial sector to improve fleet operational readiness. The center's work includes reducing non-recurring engineering to achieve scale, supporting fleet modernization, maintenance planning, repair and refurbishment, and lowering barriers for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to utilize additive manufacturing for Navy needs and establishing the necessary digital infrastructure to support this process.
Admiral Jim Kilby, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, remarked: "A skilled workforce and a strong industrial base are essential to maintaining our Navy's warfighting advantage. Here in Danville, ATDM provides advanced training in manufacturing to strengthen supply chains, accelerate repairs, and get ships back to sea faster. The additive manufacturing center is pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology to accelerate production, foster innovation, and deliver the capabilities our sailors need. Collectively, these efforts have strengthened our readiness and prepared our Navy to face the challenges ahead."
Read more: Kian Bastani Nejad: Navigation Without GPS is Necessary · Anduril Invests $3.7 Billion in Maryland Shipbuilding for Virginia-Class Submarines
