FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2011
For more information please contact: SCRA Micki Howard 843.760.3329 office 843.697.9226 mobile micki.howard@scra.org
SCRA Wins Manufacturing Technology Achievement Awards Takes Home Three of Three Awards Given at Defense Manufacturing Conference
Charleston, SC - December 12, 2011 - SCRA, a leading applied research and technology services company, today announced its receipt of three 2011 Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement awards. The awards, given yearly by the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program, recognize the projects and teams that significantly impact the Department of Defense (DoD), further manufacturing technology and ultimately impact the Warfighter. The award team members are recognized for their work to increase the productivity, affordability and technical superiority of our nation's defense systems. The three awards were given last week at the annual Defense Manufacturing Conference in Anaheim, CA.
All three winners were led by the SCRA Applied R&D Division and include: Composite Manufacturing Technology Center's (CMTC) Carbon Bismaleimide (BMI) Automated Fiber Placement Development; the CMTC's Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Initiative and the Castings for Improved Defense Readiness Program's development of Digital Radiographic Standards for aerospace castings (a joint award with the Air Force's effort on Digital Radiographic Standards).
The BMI Fiber Placement Development project was funded by the Office of Naval Research ManTech Program (ONR ManTech) and optimized the manufacturing technology to produce Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35 composite wings and engine nacelle hardware. The project resulted in a 50 percent improvement in part production cycle time and cost savings of over $100 million for the life of the JSF program. The Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Initiative was funded by ONR ManTech and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Science & Technology Program (OSD MS&T) and improved the durability and comfort of prosthetics and orthotics for our wounded men and women in uniform. The project resulted in 50 percent lighter, more comfortable sockets with increased production, longer lifecycles and 40 percent cost reduction. The Digital Radiographic Standards project was funded by the Defense Logistics Agency Research and Development ManTech Program (DLA ManTech) and developed digital standards to replace current radiographic film standards for the inspection and qualification of aerospace castings. The project will reduce inspection times and increase affordability for metalcasting quality assessment and improve accuracy for spare parts development.
Winning the Individual Manufacturing Technology Excellence Award was Steven Linder, longtime SCRA partner and former ManTech Director. The award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to increased affordability, superiority and producibility of our nation's defense systems.
"It is a privilege to support Navy ManTech, the OSD Manufacturing Science and Technology program, and DLA ManTech and to work with the ten industry partners who performed so admirably on these projects. We are honored to have received all three Manufacturing Technology Achievement Awards," said SCRA Applied R&D President Rick Self. "I would like to recognize SCRA's Danna Kelley, Dr. Chris Norfolk and Thornton White as well as their team members for their tireless work and dedication. These teams delivered cost savings and increased efficiency to programs across the Department of Defense. We look forward to our continued partnership with the DoD ManTech programs to deliver lower cost capabilities to our war fighters."
"We are honored to have received these prestigious awards," said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. "SCRA-led programs continue to provide innovative manufacturing capabilities to DoD and ultimately save the Department millions of dollars. We are focused on improving the quality of life for wounded warriors by making prosthetics more lightweight and comfortable. Our work for our men and women in the field ensures they are equipped with the aircraft and weapons systems they need to effectively serve and protect. I thank those serving and congratulate the SCRA team and its corporate partners on these achievements."
About SCRA http://www.scra.org
SCRA is an applied research company with over 28 years of experience in delivering technology solutions with high returns on investment to federal and corporate clients. Our Applied R&D division manages over 100 national and international programs worth $1.5 billion in contract value, and our technology-based economic development division helps early-stage companies to commercialize innovations and create jobs. In support of our mission, SCRA builds and manages research facilities that include wet labs, secure rooms for sensitive work and advanced, high-tech manufacturing shops.