AM Forward Gains Momentum: Boeing and Northrop Grumman Join Forces to Revolutionize US Additive Manufacturing

The AM Forward initiative, a strategic program launched by the Biden Administration to bolster American manufacturing, has rapidly gained traction since its announcement in May. A growing number of industry titans in the U.S. manufacturing sector have pledged their commitment, with recent announcements confirming that aerospace and defense giants Boeing and Northrop Grumman are now official participants. They join an esteemed roster of foundational members including GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Siemens Energy. These seven leading American manufacturers, all early and significant adopters of additive manufacturing (AM), are committing resources and expertise to help smaller, U.S.-based suppliers accelerate their integration and utilization of AM technologies. The overarching goal is not merely to facilitate a resurgence of American manufacturing but to fundamentally enhance its global competitiveness, transform production floors nationwide, and fortify critical supply chains against future disruptions.

By joining AM Forward, Boeing and Northrop Grumman underscore the Biden Administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting and revitalizing American industry. This strategic move aligns with the administration’s belief that the widespread adoption of 3D printing technologies across the country is paramount to achieving these ambitious goals. Sue Helper, Senior Advisor for Industrial Strategy at the White House Office of Management and Budget, emphasized the initiative’s core principles: “A priority of this Administration is to lower the cost of the goods and services that families rely on, and one of the best ways to do that is to make more things in America, with more secure and more resilient supply chains. AM Forward focuses on additive manufacturing to help us achieve these goals. We applaud Boeing and Northrop Grumman for recognizing the benefits of promoting additive manufacturing in their supply chains and for making public commitments to support broader adoption.” This statement highlights the critical link between advanced manufacturing, economic stability, and national security, positioning AM Forward as a cornerstone of modern industrial policy.

Understanding the AM Forward Initiative: A Framework for Growth

The AM Forward initiative represents a collaborative effort between government and industry leaders designed to overcome the barriers that typically hinder the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For many years, additive manufacturing has been recognized for its potential to revolutionize product design, prototyping, and production. However, high initial investment costs, a lack of specialized training, and complex certification processes have often kept smaller suppliers from fully leveraging its benefits. AM Forward directly addresses these challenges by creating a supportive ecosystem where large manufacturers act as mentors and catalysts for their smaller counterparts.

By joining this landmark initiative, participating companies make a series of public, actionable commitments. These commitments are multifaceted and designed to foster an environment conducive to AM growth. Firstly, they pledge to increase their procurement of parts produced using additive manufacturing techniques from smaller, U.S.-based suppliers. This provides a crucial demand signal and market opportunity for these suppliers, justifying their investment in AM capabilities. Secondly, the initiative emphasizes workforce development; leading manufacturers commit to training their suppliers’ employees in 3D printing technologies, bridging the existing knowledge gap and building a skilled labor force. Thirdly, comprehensive technical assistance is provided to support suppliers through the entire AM adoption process, from equipment selection to process optimization. Lastly, the initiative encourages engagement in the development of common standards and certification protocols for 3D printed parts, a critical step towards ensuring quality, reliability, and widespread acceptance of AM components across various industries. These synergistic steps are vital for not only accelerating the nationwide adoption of additive manufacturing but also positioning it as a serious and competitive alternative to more traditional manufacturing methods, addressing the primary barriers of insufficient training and resources head-on.

Boeing and Northrop Grumman’s Specific Contributions and Their Broader Impact

Both Boeing and Northrop Grumman have outlined specific, quantifiable commitments that reflect their dedication to the AM Forward initiative. Boeing, a pioneer in aerospace innovation, has committed to increasing the capacity of its qualified small and medium-sized suppliers by an impressive 30%. This isn’t just about expanding volume; it’s also about providing critical technical guidance to ensure these suppliers meet both Boeing’s rigorous internal qualifications and broader industry standards. Moreover, Boeing will actively target small and medium-sized suppliers to compete for Request for Quote (RFQ) packages specifically for products manufactured using advanced AM technologies. This ensures that smaller businesses have a direct pathway to participate in high-value manufacturing contracts.

Similarly, Northrop Grumman, a leader in global security and aerospace, has pledged to direct 50% of its RFQ packaging for products, machinery, manufacturing tooling, and manufacturing process development that utilize AM or related technologies to U.S.-based Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMMs). This aggressive target, as detailed in their press release, signifies a strong push towards integrating SMMs into their advanced manufacturing ecosystem. The participation of these two industry behemoths is not merely symbolic; it represents a significant investment in the future of American manufacturing. Dr. Mellissa Orme, Vice President of Boeing Additive Manufacturing, articulated the profound objectives: accelerating AM adoption at scale, significantly increasing the resiliency and capacity of supply chains, and fostering the creation of good-paying jobs across the United States. These goals align perfectly with the national industrial strategy and promise to deliver tangible economic and strategic benefits.

Additive Manufacturing: A Cornerstone of U.S. Global Competitiveness

The decision by Boeing and Northrop Grumman to intensify their commitment to AM Forward underscores a broader recognition of additive manufacturing’s critical role in national competitiveness and manufacturing resilience. Matt Bromberg, Corporate Vice President, Global Operations, at Northrop Grumman, eloquently summarized this perspective: “Additive manufacturing (AM) is a leading-edge production technology that is foundational to U.S. global competitiveness and manufacturing resiliency. It enables new designs and sustainment paradigms. We know that the competitiveness of the U.S. defense industrial base relies on the capability of thousands of small to medium size manufacturers (SMM) producing and post-processing critical aerospace parts. Through AM Forward, government and industry can work together to adopt additive manufacturing at scale, increasing the agility, capacity, and resiliency of U.S. supply chains and supporting and sustaining jobs across the United States.” This statement not only highlights AM’s technological advantages but also its strategic importance for the defense industrial base and the broader economy.

The strategic implications of widespread AM adoption are profound. Beyond technical advantages like complex geometries, rapid prototyping, and on-demand production, AM offers unparalleled opportunities for supply chain localization and diversification. By empowering a network of domestic SMMs with advanced manufacturing capabilities, the United States can reduce its reliance on foreign supply chains, mitigate risks associated with geopolitical instabilities, and shorten lead times for critical components. Furthermore, this initiative supports the creation of high-skilled jobs, stimulating economic growth and innovation across various sectors. The focus on developing common standards and certifications also addresses a crucial bottleneck, ensuring that AM parts can be reliably integrated into complex systems, from commercial aircraft to defense platforms. This collaborative effort promises to create a robust, adaptable, and technologically advanced manufacturing ecosystem capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.

The partnership between the government and leading manufacturers like Boeing and Northrop Grumman through AM Forward represents a significant stride towards securing a future where American manufacturing is not only competitive but also a global leader in innovation and resilience. You can find more comprehensive details and insights in the official press release from ASTRO America HERE.

What are your thoughts on Boeing and Northrop Grumman’s pivotal move to join the AM Forward initiative? How do you foresee this collaboration impacting the future of additive manufacturing and U.S. supply chains? We encourage you to share your insights in a comment below or engage with us on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! For the latest advancements and news in the 3D printing world, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, delivered straight to your inbox! You can also explore all our informative videos and engaging content on our YouTube channel.

*Cover Photo Credits: ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE)