Jan 12, 2026
ASTM International today announced its participation in a newly awarded Allied Additive Manufacturing Interoperability (AAMI) project led by America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM). Funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD(R&E)), the $1.1 million initiative aims to establish additive manufacturing (AM) equivalency and interoperability between United States Department of Defense (DoD) and United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) supply chains.
The AAMI program focuses on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of critical defense parts and seeks to identify barriers to allied interoperability while supporting the development of shared, international qualification and certification approaches. As a member of the Lockheed Martin–led project team, working alongside Additive Manufacturing Solutions Ltd (UK)., ASTM International will contribute its global expertise in standards development, qualification frameworks, and data interoperability. This work will be driven by ASTM’s Global Advanced Manufacturing Division, with technical support from the ASTM International UK team.
This project reflects a growing emphasis on allied, distributed manufacturing models that can respond to complex logistical and sustainment challenges. While AM offers clear advantages in lead time reduction, design flexibility, and on-demand production, scaling AM for defense applications requires consistent qualification pathways, trusted data exchange, and alignment across national supply chains.
“The future of defense manufacturing depends on interoperability—not just of technologies, but of standards, qualification approaches, and trust,” said Mohsen Seifi, Ph.D., Vice President of Global Advanced Manufacturing programs at ASTM International. “Through this collaboration, ASTM is helping to enable a common technical language between U.S. and UK partners so that qualified AM parts can be produced with confidence across allied supply chains.”
ASTM’s involvement will be supported in part by ASTM International UK branch, the organization’s regional hub established to accelerate additive and advanced manufacturing qualification, standardization, and industrial adoption across the UK and Europe. The UK team brings direct experience working with government, industry, and research partners on defense, aerospace, and industrial AM programs.
“Additive manufacturing equivalency between allied nations is essential for resilient defense sustainment,” said Ben DiMarco, Technology Transition Director for America Makes. “By working with our partners and member organizations, we’re advancing qualification frameworks that support real-world adoption and ensure consistent, reliable parts across U.S. and UK operations.”
ASTM International’s involvement in this program reflects its growing role in enabling defense industries globally through a combination of standards development, technical advisory services and training, pilot programs, qualification frameworks, and international collaboration.
Media Inquiries: Michael Molitch-Hou, +1.323.868.1865
mmolitch-hou@astm.org
ASTM International UK Inquiries:
uk@astm.org
Release #13036
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