Innovation Hub Brings the Power of Additive Manufacturing to Defense and Aerospace (Part 2)

In our last article on the GovDesignHub, Kimberly Gibson, Industrial Base Integration Director at America Makes—a public-private partnership dedicated to accelerating additive manufacturing (AM) adoption and supporting global U.S. manufacturing competitiveness—introduced the Ohio Innovation Hubs program and explained how the newly constructed hub in Youngstown is poised to drive AM forward.

These exciting Innovation Hubs are being introduced at a critical time. For years, the shift of domestic manufacturing to international facilities has impacted U.S. production capacity and revealed vulnerabilities in critical supply chains—especially in the defense and aerospace sectors.

In high-stakes environments, delays from equipment failures or outdated manufacturing processes can be costly and dangerous. Fortunately, advanced manufacturing technologies and capabilities—including AM—have the potential to make these challenges a thing of the past.

AM—most commonly known as 3D printing—has long held transformative potential, enabling manufacturers to make products at the point of need and fabricate products with designs that would be too challenging or complex for traditional manufacturing practices.

In the second part of our discussion, Kimberly highlights how AM could play a transformative role in the defense and aerospace sectors—unlocking new capabilities, strengthening supply chains, and enabling faster, more agile production.

Read more from GovDesignHub.