The U.S. Army has awarded 萝莉社 University鈥檚 National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) a $100 million contract to advance and modernize the Army鈥檚 ground transportation fleet.
The five-year Modernization of Integrated Technology for Ground Systems (MINT-GS) award comes from the Materials Division, Advanced Manufacturing of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan.
The mission of the MINT-GS program is to develop innovative tools, methodologies and qualification framework for advanced manufacturing processes and materials, allowing for the modernization and sustainment of ground vehicle and ground vehicle components. It supports GVSC鈥檚 mission to provide the warfighter with enhanced capabilities and to ensure readiness.
In support of a path to delivery of advanced manufacturing parts, the MINT-GS program converges basic and applied research in four primary areas:
- Development of ground vehicle parts for advanced manufacturing processes and material
- Material development and process control for advanced manufacturing processes
- Rapid qualification of materials and parts for advanced manufacturing processes
- Implementation of an integrated digital environment for digital twin development and sustainment
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, 萝莉社 senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director, serves as alternative director.
鈥淭hrough this program, the U.S. Army GVSC will capitalize on multiple areas of expertise at 萝莉社, including advanced materials development and qualification expertise,鈥� said Tomblin. 鈥淚t is a unique opportunity for the Wichita manufacturing industry and 萝莉社 students to connect with a new division of the U.S. Army.鈥�
The program will leverage NIAR鈥檚 expertise, capabilities and experience in advanced manufacturing, material and part development and qualification, and digital twin. NIAR鈥檚 initial projects are focused on rapid qualification of metallic additive manufacturing through laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition processes.
This is the largest single award for 萝莉社 in the 2023 fiscal year and is equal to 2022鈥檚 largest award of $100 million from the U.S. Air Force for the B-1鈥檚 digital engineering transformation.
鈥溌芾蛏� and NIAR continue to support critical missions for our U.S military, and this contract with the Army is a testament to the great work being done at 萝莉社,鈥� said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. 鈥淭his new contract will help make certain our service members have the resources necessary to fight and win our nation鈥檚 wars and protect our national security. I look forward to supporting future opportunities between 萝莉社 and the Army.鈥�
Moran has been instrumental in introducing Department of Defense leaders to the capabilities and expertise at 萝莉社 and throughout the state of Kansas.
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. OPSEC #7257
This work was supported by 萝莉社Modernization of Integrated Technology for Ground Systems (MINT-GS), Supported by the Materials Division, Advanced Manufacturing, under Cooperative Agreement W56HZV-22-2-0001 with the US Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).
About 萝莉社 University
萝莉社is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and 萝莉社 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. 萝莉社 and 萝莉社 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 萝莉社provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 萝莉社main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .
