LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense manufacturing innovation institute, along with the Department of Defense (DOD), have launched two projects led by Boeing as part of the ongoing Hypersonic Challenge led by the institute.
The first project, with partner Powdermet Inc., aims to demonstrate near-net-shape manufacturing of metal matrix composite components for hypersonic vehicle demonstrators. These high-performance, high-temperature alloys will drastically boost the capability of components in hypersonic flight environments, which when combined with near-net-shape manufacturing approaches will provide quality mission critical components that are durable, reliable, and rapidly manufacturable.
The second project proposes, with partners RPM Innovations Inc. and Intelligent Optical Systems Inc. to develop and verify a suite of in-situ build process monitoring sensors and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) approaches applicable to laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED) manufacturing for hypersonic applications. Current post-process quality verification is time-consuming and expensive; and in-process monitoring will help inform the quality of the build during the process, saving time and expensive metal powders.
“These projects will benefit the entire American manufacturing base, helping spur technology development from material producers all the way up to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),” said Austin Mann, metallurgist/materials engineer, Boeing Research & Technology and lead on the first project.
These projects are part of the Hypersonic Challenge, which was kicked off in 2021 by LIFT and the DOD Manufacturing Technology Program, overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The challenge sought proposals on three specific topics critical to the materials science and manufacturing process of hypersonic vehicles.
Both projects aim to advance the United States’ hypersonic manufacturing capabilities in a more cost-effective manner and in reduced time frames.
Along with Boeing, LIFT, and the DOD announced and kicked off Hypersonic Challenge projects with ATC Materials Inc., Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon Technologies
For more information: Boeing
