Pittsburgh-based ARM Institute said this week it has secured nearly $90 million from the Office of the Undersecretary of War Manufacturing Technology Office (OSW ManTech) to fund 10 projects that will modernize the U.S. military's Organic Industrial Base.
OIB Modernization Challenge targets 12 defense sites
The award, made through the OIB Modernization Challenge, will support 15 ARM member organizations delivering working solutions inside a two-year window across 12 military manufacturing sites, according to the institute. The Organic Industrial Base is the network of U.S. arsenals, depots and ammunition plants that build and maintain military equipment.
Robotics, drones and AI applied to arsenals and depots
Selected projects target three headline areas: improving safety in energetics production while raising manufacturing quality with AI, using drones to accelerate mission readiness, and removing throughput bottlenecks with robotics. The Department of War is running a multi-year push to bring advanced automation, physical AI and workforce upskilling into these facilities.
Workforce readiness bolted on to every project
“This funding award recognizes not only the leadership role the ARM Institute plays in modernizing manufacturing, but the key role our member consortium plays in these efforts,” said Jorgen Pedersen, CEO of the ARM Institute. Each of the 10 solution plans includes a workforce component led by the institute, aimed at reskilling and recruiting workers to operate the new systems.
Latest in a wave of defense-manufacturing spend
The award adds to a busy stretch of Pentagon investment in autonomy and manufacturing tech. Related coverage includes AeroVironment's $400M Locust laser buy, the $500M layered counter-drone contract and Neros Technologies' $250M defense-drone raise. It also underscores momentum reported in the wider military and defense and business deals beats.
Reporting based on coverage from The Robot Report and the ARM Institute.