Navy ManTech
Navy LogoDevelop enabling manufacturing technology – new processes and equipment – for implementation on Department of Navy weapon system production lines.

The Navy Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program is an industrial preparedness program focused on affordability improvements for key naval platforms as well as capability acceleration to get capabilities to the Fleet faster.  Navy ManTech works closely with the Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Offices, key industry partners, and the Navy ManTech Centers of Excellence (COEs) to identify manufacturing affordability challenges; develop affordable manufacturing technology; and transition that technology to industry partners for implementation. Once implemented, the developed technology results in substantial affordability improvements—measured as either cost savings or cost avoidance.


Navy ManTech executes through seven COEs.  The COEs provide a focal point for the development and transfer of new manufacturing processes and equipment in a cooperative environment with industry, academia, and DoD agencies.  The COEs:
 
  • Develop and demonstrate manufacturing technology solutions for identified defense manufacturing issues.
  • Provide advice to the ManTech Program Officers concerning program formulation.
  • Facilitate the transfer of developed manufacturing technology.
  • Provide consulting services to defense industrial activities and industry.
  • Serve as corporate residences of expertise in their particular technological areas.
The Navy ManTech Program is managed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), with direct oversight from ONR leadership.
 
Navy ManTech Shaped Plate Automation & Verification
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DOD DMC 2753 Shaped Plate Automation & Verification (open caption)

Defense Logistics Agency
Investment Portfolio Areas

Navy ManTech’s investment strategy has two focus areas: (1) Platform Affordability and (2) Capability Acceleration.
 
FY23 ManTech Investment Strategy

Platform Affordability
 
ManTech helps these programs achieve their respective affordability goals by transitioning advanced manufacturing technology that has resulted in dramatic cost savings and/or cost avoidance (measured as dollars per hull or per aircraft).
 
  • VIRGINIA Class Submarine (VCS)
  • COLUMBIA Class Submarine (CLB)
  • CVN 78 Class Aircraft Carrier
  • DDG 51 Class Destroyer
  • FFG 62 Class Frigate
  • F-35 Lightning II Aircraft
Capability Acceleration  

Capability Acceleration focus areas include the following:  Swarm/Unmanned/Autonomous Vehicle Production, High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Systems/Directed Energy, Advanced Submarine Fabrication Technology, Fleet Sustainment Technology (Ships/Aircraft), Energetics Production Improvement, Hypersonics Fabrication, and Manufacturing Acceleration of Other ONR Activities.
Project Execution

Navy ManTech operates on an annual planning cycle in the investment portfolio areas highlighted above and executes through the COEs. 
 
Navy ManTech COEs include:
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 Composites Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC)
Composites Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC): Established in 2000, CMTC is a virtual center that develops improved manufacturing processes for composite-based components and facilitates technology transfer to resolve manufacturing and repair issues identified and prioritized by the Navy’s Program Executive Offices, other DoD services, and industry.  Operated by ATI in Summerville, SC, CMTC forms teams of prime contractors, composites industry suppliers, and universities to address Navy composites manufacturing technology needs and has strong in-depth knowledge and experience in composites manufacturing technology for all DoD weapon systems.  As part of CMTC’s organizational structure, all laboratories, facilities, and project labor resources are provided by project teams.  This structure results in cost benefit to the Navy, with maximum funding going to project execution. CMTC’s current portfolio includes composites manufacturing projects for four major ship platforms, the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, and the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter.
 Electronics Manufacturing Center (EMC)
Electronics Manufacturing Center (EMC): Established in 2021, EMC is the ONR ManTech Center of Excellence for electronics located within the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory in Freeport, PA.  The core mission and function of the EMC is to identify, develop, and facilitate the transition of electronics manufacturing technologies to reduce the cost and time to deploy electrical and electronic (digital and analog) systems as well as the supporting power storage and distribution infrastructure to naval ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned systems.  EMC personnel and technical contributors are experienced in most facets of electronics manufacturing and include experts from the Applied Research Laboratory and Pennsylvania State University and collaborators in the electronics manufacturing industry.  The EMC facility has multiple laboratories dedicated to technology research and development, offices and meeting rooms, and spaces for performing DoD classified work.
 Electro-Optics Center (EOC)
Electro-Optics Center (EOC): Since its inception in 1999, EOC has reduced acquisition, operational, and life-cycle costs while simultaneously improving the mission capability of electro-optic military hardware and enabling the transition of technology to industry and ultimately to the warfighter.  Operated by the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory in Freeport, PA, EOC is a hybrid between the best components of a university and those of private industry.  This relationship enables access to the university’s researchers and scientists, its state-of-the-art facilities, and leading-edge research.  Application of this hybrid model enables EOC to provide its sponsors with solutions that combine leading-edge research with on-time and on-budget deliveries.  EOC and the partner members of its Electro-Optics Alliance (EOA) have completed nearly 40 Navy ManTech projects that have resulted in significant savings to the taxpayer.  The EOA advances DoD critical electro-optic manufacturing science and technology and promotes U.S. preeminence in all areas of electro-optics.  Alliance membership is available at no cost to all U.S. companies, government labs, and academic institutions involved in electro-optics technology.  The EOA is committed to advancing the commercial viability of electro-optics technologies and promoting technology transfer to industry, as well as wide dissemination of new electro-optics-related information.
 Energetics Manufacturing Technology Center (EMTC)
Energetics Manufacturing Technology Center (EMTC): Established in 1994 by ONR, the EMTC is Navy-operated and located at the Naval Sea Systems Command’s Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (IHEODTD), in Indian Head, MD. IHEODTD serves as the focal point for EMTC and, as a renowned leader in energetics, provides a full spectrum of capabilities, including energetics research, development, modeling and simulation, engineering, manufacturing technology, production, test and evaluation, and fleet / operations support.  EMTC develops solutions to manufacturing problems unique to military system / subsystem acquisition and production requirements and the energetics industry. EMTC does not own or operate any facilities or equipment but is essentially a virtual enterprise that involves government, industry, and academia in identifying requirements and executing projects. EMTC identifies weapon system and manufacturing base needs, develops and demonstrates the required manufacturing process technology solutions, and transitions successful results.  EMTC understands that energetics are inherently dangerous and require special processes, equipment, facilities, environmental considerations, and safety precautions.
 Institute for Manufacturing and Sustainment Technologies (iMAST)
Institute for Manufacturing and Sustainment Technologies (iMAST): Established in 1995, iMAST coordinates Navy ManTech efforts at the Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory, one of seven U.S. Navy University Affiliated Research Centers. Located in State College, PA, iMAST addresses challenges related to Navy and Marine Corps weapon system platforms in the following technical areas:  materials processing, laser processing, advanced composites, manufacturing systems, repair and sustainment, and complex systems monitoring.  iMAST supports the Navy and Marine Corps systems commands, as well as PEOs and Navy laboratories.  iMAST also manages the Repair Technology (RepTech) program and applies new and emerging technologies to improve the capabilities of Navy depots, shipyards, Marine Corps Logistics Bases, and lower level maintenance activities throughout the fleet.  RepTech cooperates and communicates with Navy COEs, the joint depot community, DoD industrial activities, industry, PEOs, and university laboratories to improve sustainability, reliability, and system availability.
 Center for Naval Metalworking (CNM)
Center for Naval Metalworking (CNM): Established in 2016, the CNM, which is located in Summerville, SC, develops and deploys innovative metalworking and related manufacturing technologies to reduce the cost and time to build and repair key U.S. Navy ships and weapons platforms, while also collaborating with other relevant manufacturing industries.  CNM utilizes a proven approach that blends the virtual center model with in-house technical expertise to ensure that project teams are composed of the best providers from the industry to identify, develop, select, and execute ‘metals-centric’ projects that support ManTech objectives and transition to industry.  CNM is managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI) and partners with Edison Welding Institute (EWI), leveraging EWI’s member-based organization that provides applied research, manufacturing support, and strategic services.  CNM conducts projects that focus on metals and advanced metallic materials, metal-based composites, metal manufacturing processes (e.g., additive manufacturing), and joining techniques, coupled with process design control, advanced metrology, and inspection technologies. 
 Naval Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing (NSAM)
Naval Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing (NSAM)Since 2003, NSAM Center and its predecessor, the Center for Naval Shipbuilding Technology, have been operated by ATI in Summerville, SC.  The NSAM Center develops advanced manufacturing technologies and deploys them in U.S. industrial facilities to improve manufacturing processes and ultimately reduce the cost and time required to build and repair Navy weapons platforms.  The NSAM Center works closely with the Navy’s acquisition community and the defense industry to address manufacturing technology issues that negatively impact efficiency, with respect to both cost and cycle time.  Projects improve construction and repair processes, such as optimizing production practices, increasing the use of robotic manufacturing methods, investigating modular / packaged units, improving accuracy control, eliminating inefficiencies in material usage, and using advanced manufacturing tools and technologies.  The NSAM Center focuses on technologies that improve the affordability of current Navy acquisition programs.  New projects investigate using modern planning systems, automated fabrication technologies, supply chain improvements, streamlined unit / module flow to and within storage and construction areas, wireless data management applications, using 3D models to support production, and developing improved scheduling systems for new, aggressive build strategies.
The three basic types of ManTech projects are:
 
  • Standard Projects: 12-36 months; $500K - $3M range
  • Mega Rapid Response Projects: Urgent requirement, but larger effort than Rapid Response.  Requires a ‘transitionable’ product/process at project end; not a quick start to standard project.  Maximum 9 months and $500K funding (by exception, 12 months and $750K funding)
  • Rapid Response Projects: Urgent requirement.  Typically, 4-6 months and $50K-$200K range
More information is provided in the Navy ManTech 101, please click the link to download a pdf.
 
Frequently Asked Questions

I need to redesign an equipment shelf so that it adequately supports the electronics. Can I use ManTech?

A: No. ManTech cannot be used to change the design unless there is another appropriate manufacturing benefit.

I need to redesign an equipment shelf so that it will cost less to build, take less time to install, perhaps require less maintenance, and more adequately support the electronics.  Can I use ManTech?

A: Yes, although ManTech may require that the platform Program Office or your company pay for the part of the project that is not ManTech such as qualification costs, capital equipment costs, etc.

How does ManTech rank possible projects?

A: In general, projects are prioritized for funding based on the following criteria:
  • Is it ManTech?
  • Does it make sense technically?
  • Will it be completed in time to make a difference for the weapon system? Is there a commitment to implement the technology on the factory floor?
  • What is the benefit? Is it cost reduction?
  • What are the risks? Technical? Schedule? Funds and approvals needed after completion of project? Other?
  • What is the platform Program Manager’s/PEO’s priority?
If I have an idea for a ManTech project, who should I discuss it with in ManTech?

A: Your first contact within ManTech should be with the appropriate Center of Excellence.  Points of Contact are included on each COE website. If you are in industry and have a ManTech manager at your facility, discuss your idea for a ManTech project with him/her.

Where do I go to get more general information on Navy ManTech?

A: The Navy ManTech Web site can be found on the ONR website here.