DoD awards FHE manufacturing contract
FlexTech Alliance has been awarded a cooperative agreement by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to establish and manage a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) for Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE), the company announced on 28 August.
Flexible hybrid electronics is an emerging manufacturing capability that enables the integration of thin silicon electronic devices, sensing elements, communications, and power on non-traditional flexible substrates. The technology has potential application to defence applications such as electronic wearable devices and health monitoring systems.
FlexTech Alliance proposed a hub based in San Hose, California and a node approach to create the FHE MII, which will comprise 11 laboratories and non-profits, 96 companies, 14 regional and state organisations and 42 universities.
Federal funding of $75 million under the contract will be made available over a five-year span. It is be matched by over $96 million in cost-sharing from non-federal sources that include universities, private companies, several US states, not-for-profit organisations and the City of San Hose, California.
The research and development funds will be distributed by the institute through competitive-bid project calls. FlexTech Alliance's MII will be the first of seven planned FHE manufacturing facilities on the US West Coast, to be overseen by the DoD's Manufacturing Technology Program Office.
Michael Ciesinski, president and CEO, FlexTech Alliance, said: ‘FlexTech is privileged to accept this award from the defence department to stand up and lead the FHE MII. Our partners collaborated on a superb proposal that links a national hub in San Jose to a network of centres of excellence throughout the US. We are excited by the FHE manufacturing challenge and eager to get operations underway.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces
The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing
The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.