NCDMM accelerates innovation across the defense industrial base by advancing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, materials, and processes that directly support DoD readiness. Our focus spans advanced and additive manufacturing, workforce development, manufacturing assessments, strategic roadmapping, and resilient, distributed supply chains to ensure the warfighter is equipped for any challenge.
Advanced Manufacturing
We accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, processes, and materials through targeted applied research and development initiatives. Our efforts focus on bridging the gap between concept and implementation to ensure innovations are not only technically viable but also production-ready. By translating research into real-world applications, we empower our customers to deploy transformative solutions that enhance operational efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and boost competitiveness across both commercial and defense sectors.
Backed by deep expertise and a strong industry network, we deliver practical solutions in Automation & Robotics, IIoT, Additive Manufacturing, Inspection & Testing, Advanced Materials & Coatings, Modeling & Simulation, and Digital Thread Sensing & Monitoring.
Additive Manufacturing
At NCDMM, we understand that additive manufacturing is transforming the way products are designed, developed, and produced. Through the America Makes program, we are driving the widespread adoption of this game-changing technology.
NCDMM convenes top organizations across the additive landscape to tackle key challenges, advance technology, and accelerate implementation. Through extensive investment in applied research and development via the America Makes project portfolio, we are bolstering domestic additive manufacturing capabilities and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.
Learn how America Makes is accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing.
Enhancing U.S. Air Force Sustainment Operations: Discover how a specialized program delivered rapid-response solutions to advance additive manufacturing technologies for low-cost sustainment, improving efficiency and readiness across U.S. Air Force operations.
Education & Workforce Development
NCDMM recognizes that a skilled and adaptable workforce is the backbone of a thriving manufacturing sector. That’s why we’re dedicated to developing and delivering targeted workforce programs that empower individuals with the tools they need to succeed. In collaboration with our America Makes program and partners, we offer a range of training opportunities—from webinars and seminars to hands-on skill-building initiatives — designed to meet the evolving demands of modern manufacturing.
We’re committed to strengthening our nation’s competitiveness in the global marketplace by reskilling today’s workforce and preparing the next generation of talent. The America Makes digital assets page is designed to support your journey, whether you’re just beginning to explore additive manufacturing, advancing your skills, or transitioning into the manufacturing industry.
Positioning the Workforce for DoD Technological Superiority: Discover how NCDMM played a pivotal role in advancing the U.S. workforce by creating 33 new eLearning courses and auditing 64 industry-recognized credentials.
Manufacturing Assessments
At NCDMM, we conduct comprehensive manufacturing assessments to establish critical baselines. These assessments help identify and evaluate processes and technologies aimed at improving capacity, capability, quality of the work environment, compliance, safety, and more—ultimately supporting our clients in achieving their manufacturing objectives.
With an in-depth understanding of manufacturing processes and workflows, we develop targeted strategies to seamlessly integrate advanced technologies and improve operations. Our trusted, unbiased, and actionable recommendations help clients enhance readiness, reduce waste, improve compliance, and deliver quality parts on time and within budget.
Optimizing Manufacturing Processes: Discover how NCDMM developed tailored strategies that seamlessly integrated advanced technologies into client operations, leading to enhanced readiness, reduced waste, improved compliance, and the delivery of quality parts—on time and within budget.
Strategic Roadmapping
At NCDMM, we create strategic roadmaps to guide our clients in making informed investment decisions for critical technologies. Our skilled team uses proven workshop resources, human-centered design techniques, and both in-person and virtual tools to gather raw, unbiased data from participants. This data is then analyzed and prioritized to develop a tailored roadmap that helps our clients achieve their goals.
By connecting the expertise and capabilities of our advanced manufacturing partners with client needs, we identify the specific technologies and methodologies that will drive research, development, and implementation. Our methodologies provide unbiased, actionable plans that enable clients to transition and implement technologies efficiently to achieve their strategic goals.
Accelerating Cold Spray Adoption Across the DoD: Discover how the development of an integrated Cold Spray roadmap helped identify common interests across the Department of Defense, facilitating joint strategies and investment opportunities. This roadmap not only accelerates Cold Spray technology adoption but also eliminates redundancy and guides future investments, ensuring the technology’s effective implementation across the DoD.
Distributed Manufacturing & Supply Chain Resilience
We enhance manufacturing supply chains by leveraging engineering and process expertise to integrate advanced technologies, adopt best practices, and drive continuous improvement through targeted training. Our efforts support distributed manufacturing models that enable surge production, regionalization, and adaptability in contested logistics environments.
Through an extensive network of industry partners, we ensure the rapid delivery of the right technology where and when it’s needed most, especially in times of crisis. This focused approach reduces lead times and costs while enhancing the performance of critical components – strengthening the national supply chain so U.S. warfighters are equipped to succeed, even in the most challenging conditions.
Advancing Supply Chain Efficiency with the AMNOW Program: Discover how the AMNOW program successfully created and demonstrated a digital additive manufacturing (AM) supply chain through the Advanced Manufacturing Intelligence Platform (AMIP). This platform enables real-time tracking, enhanced communication, and data integration, which streamlined operations, improved decision-making, and accelerated the deployment of critical components.
Additional Areas of Focus
High-Temperature Applications
The advancement of hypersonic systems and other high-temperature applications demands breakthrough manufacturing solutions capable of withstanding extreme thermal, mechanical, and chemical environments. Traditional materials and processes often fall short in these conditions, creating a need for innovation in both design and fabrication. NCDMM is at the forefront of integrating advanced technology with advanced material development to unlock new capabilities for these demanding applications. This area of impact focuses on developing and deploying high-performance materials and precision techniques that deliver enhanced reliability, thermal resistance, and structural integrity in extreme operating environments. By pushing the limits of material science and manufacturing technologies, we aim to support the defense, aerospace, and energy sectors in achieving next-generation speed, durability, and performance for hypersonic vehicles and high-temperature components.
Casting & Forging
Metal castings and forgings (CF) are foundational to America’s national defense and economic strength, in line with strategic sectors like microelectronics and advanced energy systems. Recognizing their critical role, the U.S. government has prioritized efforts to strengthen and modernize the CF supply chain for both immediate needs and long-term resilience. NCDMM is actively furthering this mission by fostering the strategic integration of advanced technologies into traditional casting and forging processes. Through collaborative initiatives and a national roadmap developed alongside industry and government partners, this focus aims to unlock transformative capabilities across U.S. manufacturing facilities and position casting and forging for a modern era — ultimately fortifying national defense, accelerating innovation, and securing supply chains for the future.
Maritime & Naval Manufacturing
Ensuring maritime superiority requires advanced manufacturing solutions tailored to the unique demands of naval platforms and operations. NCDMM is committed to supporting the U.S. Navy and broader maritime sector through the development and deployment of innovative manufacturing technologies that enhance performance, readiness, and lifecycle sustainment. This focus area targets the integration of additive manufacturing, digital engineering, and advanced materials to strengthen shipbuilding and maintenance capabilities. Key efforts include the development of corrosion-resistant components for harsh marine environments, modernization of submarine and surface ship part production, and the use of digital twins and agile manufacturing for shipyard optimization. By enhancing durability, reducing lead times, and enabling on-demand production, NCDMM helps ensure America’s naval forces are mission-ready.
