SCRA Applied R&D-Led Project Takes Home Top Honors
January 13, 2015
Wins Defense Manufacturing Technology Award for F-35 Canopy Project
SUMMERVILLE, SC – SCRA Applied R&D today announced that their F-35 Canopy Thermoforming Automation project won the 2014 Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award. The project, a joint effort between SCRA Applied R&D, the Office of Naval Research, Naval Air Systems Command and GKN Advanced Transparency Systems, will save the F-35 Lightning II Program as much as $125 million by automating the forming of advanced fighter canopies. The cost savings are achieved by employing an automated system to control the labor intensive forming process. Previously, forming canopies required highly skilled operators to frequently enter high temperature ovens to adjust the forming process based on visual feedback. The new process eliminates the need for operators to enter high temperature ovens and utilizes a vision system to continuously and precisely adjust the forming process. Additionally, the automated approach reduces tooling needs and enables full rate production. The award was given to the project’s team members at the annual Defense Manufacturing Conference held in early December in San Antonio, Texas.
The award is sponsored by the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP), and is given to teams comprised of both government and private sector members who are responsible for outstanding projects in manufacturing technology. Nominees are evaluated on three criteria: manufacturing technology achievement, transition/implementation and potential or realized benefits. The selection committee consists of the JDMTP Principals and the OSD ManTech director. SCRA Applied R&D’s winning team member is Ryan Frankart, company lead on the program.
“ONR ManTech, in partnership with the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office, has established an environment and leadership structure that enables these successes with high returns on investment,” said SCRA Applied R&D Vice President Marty Ryan. “SCRA Applied R&D is fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with the government team and GKN on this important project that helps our men and women in uniform. The success of this project is due to the dedication and ingenuity of all involved.”
About SCRA Applied R&D
SCRA Applied R&D builds and leads teams from diverse industries and organizations to develop innovative technology solutions for federal and corporate clients. Technology focus areas include: shipbuilding and ship repair, manufacturing technologies, advanced material applications and rapid prototyping among many others, which have resulted in real-world, high return on investment technologies. SCRA Applied R&D has a strong track record of delivering technologies that achieve wide-spread industry adoption and application. Our objective “trusted agent” approach helps teams reach consensus, establish priorities and produce results, overcoming traditional barriers like geographical and organizational divides. The national and international research programs we manage have a contract value of over $2 billion.
