ASTRO America partners with Florida State University, launches manufacturing accelerator

The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization (ASTRO) of America announced its selection by Florida State University (FSU) to help establish the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education (InSPIRE) as a major center for aerospace and defense manufacturing research and education in northwest Florida. For its part, ASTRO America is tasked with collaboratively designing the facility’s factory equipment layout, managing InSPIRE’s industry and government collaborations and embeds, and helping prioritize applied research that will maximize U.S. industrial productivity, national security, and regional economic development.

This announcement coincides with ASTRO America’s decision to establish the headquarters of its signature Additive Manufacturing Forward (AM Forward) technology program in Panama City, Florida. Launched in May 2022 by ASTRO America President Neal Orringer alongside President Biden, AM Forward is a compact of several major corporations and government agencies to enhance supply chain resilience through the adoption of metal additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.

“Florida State University is a national leader in aero-propulsion research,” says Orringer. “Together with ASTRO’s advanced manufacturing network and expertise, we will build a model public-private partnership to boost competitiveness for America’s aerospace and defense sector and ensure robust economic growth in America’s Gulf Coast Region.”

What will set this center apart from other University-affiliated laboratories will be a flexible, fully built-out, end-to-end production environment for advanced manufacturing, combined with advanced aerodynamic and propulsion test facilities including a supersonic to hypersonic wind tunnel for advanced, in-situ test and evaluation. InSPIRE will give companies–from the largest aircraft manufacturers to the smallest of part suppliers–access to novel manufacturing technology and production expertise at every stage of production. The facilities will include configurable manufacturing work cells, materials testing, diagnostics laboratories, and learning spaces to support project innovation, education, and workforce training. In so doing, this partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of new production processes that deliver inventive ideas to the marketplace such as products and applications.

“This partnership between FSU and ASTRO America is a critical step in laying the foundation for InSPIRE to have a generational impact on the entire Northwest Florida region,” says InSPIRE Executive Director Farrukh S. Alvi, PhD. “InSPIRE will help pioneer some of the most advanced manufacturing capabilities, test and improve the manufactured products in world class aero-test facilities and create new opportunities for students and faculty to work with industry leaders, building on our expertise in research and engineering, fostering next generation innovation and cultivating prosperity in our communities for generations to come.”

Industry members will embed employees at InSPIRE, collaborating with FSU faculty and ASTRO staff to develop and produce aerospace and energy systems, while offering hands-on learning to students and aspiring engineers.

InSPIRE will be led by a team of advanced manufacturing, aerospace testing, and workforce development experts with a track record of success in leading large-scale, high-profile innovation and technology transition efforts. Key personnel will be announced in the coming weeks.