The Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy (IBP), through its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) office, awarded an $8.4 million contract to Ultra Communications, Inc. of Vista, California to improve the supply and capacity of ruggedized high-speed optical transceivers used in defense applications. The joint project, led by MCEIP’s Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office, adds new advanced manufacturing capabilities to Ultra Communications’ ability to provide components necessary for sensor data management in cutting-edge DoD platforms.
Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (IBP) stated, “This prototyping effort will increase the production capacity needed to satisfy the Department’s demand, and spur the manufacture of next generation transceivers. It provides game-changing industrial capacity for a key component used in advanced fixed-wing fighter aircraft, next generation radar systems, and several U.S. geospatial satellite programs. The project will expand the materiel supply chain and address bottlenecks in manufacturing processes.”
"We are honored and grateful to be selected to develop manufacturing processes and strengthen the U.S. supply chain for technology that advances DoD’s capabilities," said Charlie Kuznia, founder of Ultra Communications, Inc. "This support underscores the recognition of our expertise and commitment to revolutionizing optical communication technology used in harsh environments. With this contract award, we will create a robust supply of high-speed fiber optic transceivers, enabling more connected and digitally empowered Joint Warfighters."
This investment funds the necessary improvements to the automated manufacture and test equipment impacting production throughput, yield, and cost. Additionally, the effort includes the development, release, and qualification of prototype manufacturing processes to improve the supply chain. These improvements include securing and qualifying both primary and secondary sources of materials, and ensuring known good materiel supplies are available and used.
“The rapid changes occurring within the microelectronics industry make it imperative for the Department of Defense to ensure that this critical sector can support the nation’s defense needs. The Presidential Determination will allow the DoD to use additional tools to ensure the resilience of American microelectronics manufacturing,” Anthony Di Stasio, Director of the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) office. “We are committed to working with our interagency partners to expand the microelectronics domestic industrial base in the United States.”
For additional information on MCEIP and other ICAM projects, please visit https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html or email osd.pentagon.ousd-a-s.mbx.ibas@mail.mil