Global Sourcing Spotlight: Building a Supply Chain That Bends, Not Breaks
Smart Automation: The Journey of a Component Through an SMT Factory
Powering the Future: Why Thermal Management Defines the Future of Electronics
Department of Defense to Expand Manufacturing of PCBA for Hypersonic Weapons
March 11, 2024 | U.S. DoDEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The Department of Defense announced an award of $11.7 million via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program to Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD) that will provide additional printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) production capacity at their Simsbury, CT location. EBAD will increase existing capacity and manufacturing processes to reduce cost and accelerate PCBA production.
“This effort is a key component of the DoD’s strategy to accelerate the development and fielding of hypersonic systems and deliver cutting-edge capabilities to our armed forces,” said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. “This award also represents another investment in domestic manufacturing in accordance with the National Defense Industrial Strategy to help build a modernized defense industrial ecosystem.”
EBAD applies state-of-the-art manufacturing technology to achieve these goals while continuing to meet weapon system requirements. These processes are proven to enable rapid prototyping and significant cost reduction.
This is the latest of 11 awards made by the DPAI program across multiple areas totaling $300 million since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2024. DPAI is overseen by the ASD(IBP)’s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Directorate, in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
NEC to Supply Nine Types of Defense Equipment for Three Australian Frigates
04/30/2026 | JCN NewswireNEC Corporation has signed a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia to supply nine types of defense equipment that will be installed on all three ships in the initial phase of the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA3000 frigate procurement program, which involves the procurement of a total of 11 ships.
AMETEK Announces Agreement to Acquire First Aviation Services
04/30/2026 | PRNewswireAMETEK, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire First Aviation Services, a leading provider of highly engineered, mission-critical defense and aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services and a manufacturer of related proprietary components.
Peru Selects Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70, Strengthening Sovereignty and U.S. Partnership
04/28/2026 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin welcomes the Government of Peru's announcement to purchase 12 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft to modernize the nation's fighter fleet and strengthen its national defense capabilities.
American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
04/28/2026 | Shane Whiteside -- Column: American Made AdvocacyCurrent world events demonstrate the fragility of long-distance supply chains transiting multiple zones of conflict. The U.S. military is currently drawing down supplies of key munitions and other electronic systems at unprecedented rates.1Every one of those systems is powered by printed circuit boards. The American PCB industry has kept pace with peacetime demand for the defense industry, but will now be called upon to increase production to a wartime footing at rates not seen in decades.
Remtec to Showcase Advanced Ceramic Technologies and Present Thermal Management for High-Power Applications at CMSE 2026
04/23/2026 | RemtecRemtec, a global leader in advanced ceramic substrates and microelectronic assembly solutions, today announced that President and CEO Brian Buyea will lead the company’s participation at Components for Military & Space Electronics Conference & Exhibition (CMSE 2026).