ACMI’s National Security Industrial Hub

New energetics, solid rocket motors, and munitions production facility opening in Indiana.

Rendering of ACMI’s completed National Security Industrial Hub.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR MANUFACTURING AND INNOVATION (ACMI)

A massive focus is being placed on bringing manufacturing back to the United States and the defense sector is no different. The American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI) and solid rocket motors (SRMs) supplier Prometheus Energetics, established between Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., will build a new energetics, SRM, and munitions production facility in Bloomfield, Indiana as the anchor of the new National Security Industrial Hub.

Victor Boelscher, head of federal programs for ACMI

Victor Boelscher, head of federal programs for ACMI, says they saw numerous defense and aerospace companies focusing on infrastructure projects pulling their resources away from their core focus as technology developers creating cutting edge munitions. The Hub is designed to “let rocket scientists be rocket scientists” as ACMI won a $75 million Munitions Campus Program contract to strengthen the munitions supply chain and increase collaboration between Department of Defense (DOD) and private companies.

“The goal was to facilitate a new way for manufacturing to be accomplished domestically by providing an ecosystem model to lower the barrier of entry for companies and to provide the government with multiple sources to meet their needs” — Victor Boelscher, head of federal programs for ACMI

“The goal was to facilitate a new way for manufacturing to be accomplished domestically by providing an ecosystem model to lower the barrier of entry for companies and to provide the government with multiple sources to meet their needs,” Boelscher says.

The National Security Industrial Hub is located near Crane Army Ammunition Activity and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, allowing for constant collaboration on research and development (R&D) to produce solid rocket motors and munitions domestically.

The first to sign on

Prometheus, Kratos, and RAFAEL were the first to sign on in March to anchor the Hub, but 16 more companies signed on in April to collaborate on furthering munitions production.

“These companies are focused on aerospace engineering, crafting components for missiles and drones, pushing the envelope and material science for lighter and stronger munitions,” Boelscher says. “Others are going to be focused on propellants and energetics critical for rocket motors, and leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques, 3D printing, robotics, all things that are going to streamline production.”

 

 

 

Expanding the National Security Industrial Hub

Boelscher and ACMI signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Crane Army Ammunition Activity.

The campus spreads across 1,100 acres, so more companies will be added to the Hub, but Boelscher knows they must make sure they’re the right fit with ACMI’s mission. ACMI has spoken with other companies at conferences, while others have reached out or been referred by those who have already signed on, such as Kratos. Boelscher says they’re focusing on adding companies with munitions or supply chain solutions, advanced manufacturing, and complementary services for existing tenants. ACMI also makes sure the prospective company’s needs, such as production facilities or R&D labs, match the site’s capabilities. The DOD guides ACMI to make expansion decisions based on national security goals. ACMI also receives input from their collaborators at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division; Crane Army Ammunition Activity; Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division; and academic institutions to ensure the prospective company’s fit on campus.

Construction on the Hub is slated to begin in the second half of 2025 and the first phases should be online by 2027 at the latest. Throughout the building process and once the Hub is up and running, ACMI will be receiving real-time input from the DOD and the Crane facilities down the road.

Our ties with the DOD are critical. They’re ensuring we’re meeting the needs for national security and so being neighbors with Crane Army and Crane Navy allows us to collaborate really closely on R&D...” — Victor Boelscher, head of federal programs for ACMI

“Our ties with the DOD are critical. They’re ensuring we’re meeting the needs for national security and so being neighbors with Crane Army and Crane Navy allows us to collaborate really closely on R&D,” Boelscher says. “Crane has world-class expertise in munitions and energetics, and the $75 million investment from the DOD is funding R&D projects and shared capabilities such as testing facilities and storage that aim to benefit everybody. Crane helps us move tech from lab to production fast, providing logistical support. They’ll help us modernize munitions production, ensuring everything meets the standards that we need to live up to.”

 

 

Economic impact

The munitions production isn’t the only thing to experience modernization thanks to the Hub. ACMI estimates nearly $600 million in private investment and the creation of thousands of jobs for Bloomfield and Greene County, Indiana. They’ve also engaged with colleges and universities in Indiana and nationwide to increase interest in energetics production and believe their proximity to Indiana University, Indianapolis, and Louisville will help drive an economic uplift in the Indiana Uplands region.

On top of the investment in the facilities and the workforce, ACMI Federal’s $50 million DOD contract will be used to provide shared capabilities for the Campus with a focus on advanced techniques, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, robotics, precision assembly, non-destructive testing, analytical labs, and high-tech machining for munitions components.

 

 

An eye to the future

“I see the munitions campus as a thriving hub of innovation and production, a resurgence in manufacturing, and so before 2030 we plan to have Prometheus and other tenants firing on all cylinders, producing munitions and rocket motors, and with a goal of 20 to 30 companies collaborating on site,” Boelscher says. “We’re excited to see the types of breakthroughs and how we can redefine the munitions industry through this concept and economically. I think that’s going to be a benefit. That’s going to be exciting, I think it’s going to be a powerhouse for Indiana, with thousands of jobs in the region and stamping it as a leader in advanced manufacturing and defense manufacturing.”

ACMI plans to open campuses nationwide. A second campus is underway near Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas that will focus on revitalizing domestic manufacturing for space exploration.

About the author: Jake Kauffman is managing editor with GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group. He can be reached at JKauffman@gie.net.

The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI)
https://acmigroup.com

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.
https://www.kratosdefense.com

RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
https://www.rafael.co.il

June 2025
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