Mission

• Establish and grow a federal, state, academic and industry partnership for advances in manufacturing
• Strengthen U.S. competitiveness in both aerospace and commercial markets
• Ensure long-term, world-class manufacturing capabilities for space transportation systems and other platforms
• Enhance educational infrastructure to support advanced manufacturing technologies

September 2003
A joint effort between NCAM-LP, NASA and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company-Michoud Operations reached a milestone in September 2003. As part of the research project "Space Launch Initiative/Friction Welding Risk Reduction Program," team members advanced the technology of Self Reacting Friction Stir Welding for complex curvature application by welding a Space Shuttle External Tank dome quarter panel in a demonstration of the Universal Weld System. This advancement in welding can be applied to NASA's next generation launch technology.

Image left: Next Generation Launch Technology Complex Curvature Team and a completed full-scale demonstration quarter panel. Image Credit: LMSSC-MO.

September 2004
Lockheed Martin contracted with NCAM to use one of NCAM's Fiber Placement Machines in a bid for fabrication of the Joint Strike Fighter for the U.S. and other nations' armed forces. In September 2004, Lockheed Martin hosted a ceremony at the NCAM Fiber Placement Machine to recognize the successful delivery of the first flight article nacelle.

Image right: Team effort took an idea from Research and Development to real flight hardware.