ASTM International has formed a strategic partnership with Austal USA and BlueForge Alliance to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities. The collaboration aims to enhance the Navy’s supply chain for future submarine platforms by establishing a robust and secure manufacturing system that supports new parts and through-life spares production.
By leveraging ASTM International’s industry-leading standards, the initiative will drive best practices for technical qualification and supplier activation. It will ensure compliance with the Navy’s strict qualification requirements as described in NAVSEA’s Technical Publications on powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED) while advancing AM innovation across the defense sector.
ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) will work closely with Austal USA and BlueForge Alliance to continue developing a comprehensive supplier activation process. The project will employ a phased approach to onboarding suppliers through the Navy’s regulatory framework, emphasizing upskilling the workforce to meet stringent AM requirements and demanding timelines.
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of combining international standards with rigorous Navy requirements to build a robust and qualified AM supply chain,” said Dr. Mohsen Seifi, ASTM International’s Vice President of Global Advanced Manufacturing Programs. “Our collaboration with Austal USA and BlueForge Alliance is an exciting step forward, enabling us to accelerate innovation and the adoption of additive manufacturing for essential defense applications.”
ASTM International recently launched its Additive Manufacturing Certification Committee (AMCC) with the support of more than 25 end users of AM parts and components. The AMCC’s mission is to bring key stakeholders together across industries to collaborate on audit criteria for qualifying AM supply chains based on international standards and industry best practices. This new partnership with Austal and BlueForge Alliance will align with AMCC initiatives, reducing the burden on suppliers and enabling AM technology to scale more effectively.
“Our collaboration with ASTM International and BlueForge Alliance is essential to advancing the Navy’s adoption of cutting-edge AM technology to address critical supply chain challenges,” said Dr. Scott Kasen, Director of Technology at Austal USA’s Advanced Technologies division. “By developing a qualified and compliant supply chain, we’re ensuring the Navy remains ahead in an evolving defense landscape.”
ASTM International’s AM CoE brings robust expertise in additive manufacturing, standards development, certification, and training, which are crucial to the success of this project. Through workshops, audits, and continuous improvement processes, ASTM International will ensure suppliers are fully qualified to meet the Navy’s needs, securing the future of naval defense with innovative AM technologies.
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About AUSTAL USA: Austal USA is a ship manufacturer in Mobile, Ala., with a technology center in Charlottesville, Va and a repair facility in San Diego. The company manufactures aluminum and steel ships leveraging a moving module production line to consistently deliver on-schedule and on-budget.
Austal USA has formed a strategic partnership with Electric Boat, supported by the Navy, to expand the production capacity of the submarine industrial base. Austal USA is manufacturing and outfitting modules for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs.
Leading a team of industry partners, Austal USA’s Advanced Technologies division oversees and operates the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, the U.S. Navy’s flagship for additive manufacturing supporting the construction and sustainment of the fleet. For more information, visit http://www.austalusa.com.
About BlueForge Alliance: BlueForge Alliance (BFA) is a nonprofit defense industrial base integrator that supports the U.S. Navy’s industrial base initiatives and efforts to strengthen and sustain the maritime manufacturing sector. BFA is a critical partner in the SIB’s mission to ensure industry has the capability, capacity, and resilience to build and maintain America’s next generation of undersea platforms. BFA is headquartered in Bryan/College Station, Texas. For more information, visit www.BlueForgeAlliance.us.
About ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence: Founded in 2018, ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) has been at the forefront of accelerating innovation in additive manufacturing. By advancing research and development, supporting the creation of industry standards, and offering world-class training and certification programs, the AM CoE has become a global leader in AM solutions. Through its partnership with Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM International, the AM CoE provides market intelligence, business strategy, and advisory services, driving the future of manufacturing across industries and governments worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.amcoe.org.
