The U.S. AirForce, today, awarded a $72,000,000 contract to Materials Resources LLC (MRL), a Xenia, Ohio-based aerospace additive manufacturing company. The contract tasks MRL with researching, developing, and assessing new alloys and metallic materials-processing technologies for aerospace applications.
Founded in 2009 by Ayman Salem, Ph.D., MRL works with the DOD and its various agencies, including ONR, NAVAIR, NAVSEA, DLA, MDA, and the Army, on over 30 contracts related to alloy development and fatigue life enhancement of wrought and additively manufactured components.
Experts in both materials science and data science staff the company. MRL also employs machinists, lab technicians, and other support personnel to carry out the day-to-day activities required to execute research and development goals. This contract will result in an additional 15-20 new jobs in related support roles.
MRL has recently invested in a new 30-acre facility in Xenia township for the future development of its manufacturing hub. The company believes the effort will bring big tech companies to the Xenia area. “We are excited to be one of the job creators in Greene County,” said Salem. “This contract is an opportunity to demonstrate the implementation of Industry 4.0 for aerospace applications.”
MRL shall work with government scientists and engineers throughout the performance period to conduct research and development and assist with the Air Force Research laboratory (AFRL) at WPAFB, OH. MRL brings its expertise in modeling, simulation, and analysis of responses of metallic materials to processing routes, applied loads, fields, and environments. MRL shall also assess new metals technologies, materials selection for emerging applications, and transition of metallic materials and processing advancements to the defense aerospace supply chain. All of MRL’s activities in this project ultimately support the USAF’s and the USSF’s mission needs.
“It is a chance to contribute to a wider utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning for manufacturing of aerospace materials,” Salem continued. “Leveraging simulation and modeling with machine learning tools are expected to expedite alloy development processes and technology transition to space and aerospace systems.”
Work for the contract will be performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. MRL expects work to be completed by September 17, 2028.
