Nikon Selected for $5.5 Million Defense Project
The GOTHAAM project aims to establish manufacturing standards for aerospace-grade aluminum alloys by August 2026.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Materials Science
Live Poll
Do you trust government-funded industrial collaborations to effectively strengthen the U.S. defense supply chain?
America Makes and NCDMM have partnered with Nikon Advanced Manufacturing on the $5.5 million GOTHAAM project. The effort aims to develop material allowables for a 7075-T73-equivalent aluminum alloy intended for defense components.
Why it matters
This project creates standardized data for additive manufacturing, enabling U.S. defense contractors to produce reliable, corrosion-resistant parts. It addresses critical gaps in qualification and verification infrastructure for aerospace-grade materials.
The initiative supports Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) manufacturing using large-format systems. Nikon will utilize this equipment to establish verified material allowables for an aerospace-grade, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy.
The players
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing
A subsidiary of the Japanese optics and imaging firm that provides industrial-scale additive manufacturing equipment and services.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
A defense contractor specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles and high-tech electronic, wireless, and laser systems.
America Makes
The U.S. National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute based in Youngstown, Ohio, focused on accelerating 3D printing technologies.
NCDMM
The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, which manages collaborative projects to advance U.S. industrial manufacturing capabilities.
The details
The GOTHAAM project focuses on creating validated material allowables—a documented set of properties used to ensure consistent structural performance in engineering design. Nikon Advanced Manufacturing will leverage large-format Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) systems, a process that uses a high-power laser to melt metal powder layer by layer to construct parts. By standardizing this process for a 7075-T73-equivalent alloy, the team aims to meet the strict requirements necessary for critical defense system components.
Timeline
General Atomics will lead the project group through August 2026.
The project partnership was formally announced on October 12, 2026.
The Tech Race
The project follows a pattern established by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute to bridge the gap between material research and industrial application. It builds on the industry-wide push to standardize powder bed fusion for aerospace components, competing with international efforts to dominate the production of high-strength, lightweight aluminum parts.
This project impacts the defense industrial base by providing verified data for large-format manufacturing workflows. Defense contractors and manufacturers using L-PBF technology will gain access to these standardized allowables, streamlining the qualification process for new aerospace components.
The takeaway
The GOTHAAM project signals a move toward rigorous qualification for large-format metal 3D printing in the defense sector. Watch for the project data release in August 2026 to see how these allowables influence future defense procurement standards.
What happens next
The project team is expected to reach its conclusion in August 2026, at which point validated data for the aluminum alloy is scheduled for delivery.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in industrial material standards, visit Materials Science.
Live Poll
Do you trust government-funded industrial collaborations to effectively strengthen the U.S. defense supply chain?
