America Makes Awards UDRI $450K for AACAMS Project Call

Why It Matters

CFAM promises lightweight, high‑performance parts that can accelerate defense acquisition cycles, and the roadmap will steer DOD and industry investment toward reducing risk and scaling production.

Key Takeaways

• $450K awarded to UDRI for AACAMS roadmap study.
• Focus on scaling continuous‑fiber additive manufacturing (CFAM).
• Will identify technology gaps and required system attributes.
• Supports DOD’s push for lightweight, agile defense components.
• Workshops March‑May gather stakeholder input across universities.

Pulse Analysis

Continuous‑fiber additive manufacturing (CFAM) is emerging as a pivotal technology for producing robust, lightweight structures by embedding unbroken fiber strands within a polymer matrix. Unlike traditional composite lay‑up, CFAM enables near‑net‑shape fabrication, reducing part count and assembly time. The Department of Defense has earmarked CFAM as a strategic capability because it can shorten design‑to‑field cycles and deliver performance gains essential for next‑generation platforms, from aircraft skins to unmanned systems.

The AACAMS project, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, tasks the University of Dayton Research Institute with creating a comprehensive set of roadmaps and analytical reports. UDRI brings deep expertise in additive manufacturing, materials science, and defense‑focused engineering, positioning it to assess the current CFAM ecosystem, highlight critical technology gaps, and outline the performance attributes required by system integrators. By delivering actionable guidance, the study aims to de‑risk investment decisions and accelerate the transition of CFAM from laboratory prototypes to scalable production lines for both military and commercial markets.

Stakeholder engagement is a core component of the initiative, with technical workshops slated for March, April, and May at NIAR, the University of Delaware, and Eastern Washington University. These sessions will convene researchers, industry leaders, and defense officials to validate findings, share best practices, and refine the roadmap. The collaborative approach ensures that the final recommendations reflect real‑world constraints and opportunities, paving the way for broader adoption of CFAM technologies across the aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors.