68 SMT007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2024
DARPA Explores Additive Manufacturing's
Potential for Futuristic Microsystems E
DARPA played a seminal role in establishing
materials science as a discipline. One of the
latest disruptive efforts in new materials and
applications, the Additive Manufacturing of
Microelectronic systEms (AMME) program,
seeks to launch microsystems manufacturing
far beyond today's state of the art.
The Government Circuit:
Driving Resiliency and Economic
Security on Both Sides of the Atlantic E
Welcome to the latest edition of e Govern-
ment Circuit, where I share updates on the gov-
ernment policy developments shaping the elec-
tronics manufacturing industry. Since the year
began, we've already witnessed several signifi-
cant milestones and strategic engagements that
may ultimately affect the way you do business.
Major Investors Expect First Commercial
eVTOL Passenger Routes by 2026 E
New Horizon Aircra Ltd. indicates global
investors are anticipating the first commer-
cial passenger routes of electric vertical takeoff
and landing (eVTOL) aircra to be operational
in the next few years as the future air mobility
market continues to advance rapidly.
BAE Systems Launches MethaneSAT
Satellite for Global Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Data E
BAE Systems is celebrating alongside its cus-
tomers at the Environmental Defense Fund
(EDF) following the successful launch of the
MethaneSAT satellite from Vandenberg Space
Force Base in California. e satellite will pro-
vide the public with reliable scientific data
about the sources and scale of methane emis-
sions globally, with the ultimate goal of driving
reductions in the near future.
Lockheed Martin Awarded $219M
To Produce PrSM Units for U.S. Army E
e U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Mar-
tin a $219 million contract to produce more
Early Operational Capability (EOC) Precision
Strike Missiles (PrSM). e award is the fourth
production contract to date for the long-range
surface-to-surface missile, which will allow for
a significant increase in production capacity to
meet Army demand.
Sikorsky Looks to Future Family
of VTOL Systems E
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company
unveiled its plan to build, test and fly a hybrid-
electric vertical takeoff and landing demon-
strator (HEX / VTOL) with a tilt-wing con-
figuration. e design is the first in a series of
large, next generation VTOL aircra—ranging
from more traditional helicopters to winged
configurations—which will feature varying
degrees of electrification, and an advanced
autonomy system for optionally piloted
flight.
DARPA's REMA Program to Add Mission
Autonomy to Commercial Drones E
DARPA's Rapid Experimental Missionized
Autonomy (REMA) program aims to enable
a drone to autonomously continue its pre-
defined mission when connection to the oper-
ator is lost.
