CT manufacturing consortium wins $1.4M defense contract for 3D design pilot

PHOTO | Contributed A Pratt & Whitney employee works on one of the East Hartford company's jet engines.

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By Sean Teehan

A consortium of Connecticut manufacturers and trade groups was awarded $1.4 million for a pilot program aimed at advancing 3D design in defense manufacturing.

In addition to the $1.4 million paid by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment, Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide a $350,000 grant to the so-called Digital Model Initiative, according to Gov. Ned Lamont's office.

The two-year program will at first help six small and medium-sized suppliers in Connecticut implement 3-D modeling, design and production capabilities. The companies selected to participate will be a part of the supply chains for helicopters, submarines and jet engines, Lamont's office said.

“This grant will help our small and mid-sized companies adopt the cutting-edge technologies needed to meet the evolving needs of our large defense contractors and ensure our supply chains are second to none when it comes to quality and efficiency," Lamont said.

The Connecticut Defense Manufacturing Community Consortium, which will conduct the pilot program, consists of DECD, Electric Boat, Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), CONNSTEP, the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University, Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM), Naval & Maritime Consortium, and the Governor’s Workforce Council.

State Chief Manufacturing Officer Colin Cooper said that companies, government and trade groups coming together demonstrates the manufacturing sector's importance to Connecticut.

“The formation of this consortium… is an indication of the broad-based support network in place here to help Connecticut’s defense manufacturers grow, innovate, and thrive,” Cooper said.