LONG BEACH, CA, USA, Mar 16, 2026 – Nikon AM Synergy Inc., the engineering and manufacturing services unit of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing (Nikon AM), announced an Other Transition Agreement (OTA) contract with the U.S. Department of War (DoW) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) through the Foundry for Operational Readiness and Global Effects (FORGE) program focused on boosting capacity and reducing aeronautical component bottlenecks for the U.S. Government.
The DIU bridges U.S. Military members addressing national security and operational challenges with cutting-edge technology companies to identify and prototype novel solutions and accelerate the transition of innovative technologies to warfighter applications. Through FORGE, the DoW seeks solutions to boost capacity and remove production bottlenecks for metal parts used in high-performance aeronautical systems, which have traditionally been manufactured using metal casting. FORGE solutions include advanced manufacturing methods that enable high-rate production and satisfy key Government survivability, reliability, and affordability metrics.
This foundational program will be conducted at the state-of-the-art Nikon AM Technology Center in Long Beach, California, which focuses on metal additive manufacturing (AM), tackling acute requirements in naval, defense, aviation, and space industries. Derek McBride, DIU Program Manager said, “The DIU is excited to partner with Nikon AM and leverage their extensive engineering, manufacturing and qualification capabilities as we work to expand production capacity and alleviate aeronautical component bottlenecks.”
Dr. Behrang Poorganji, Nikon AM Vice President of Technology said, “Nikon AM is uniquely positioned to support the DIU through Nikon AM Synergy’s comprehensive design and materials qualification capabilities combined with our industry-leading, Nikon SLM Solutions’ laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) AM systems and advanced Nikon inspection capabilities, all operating together under stringent manufacturing requirements in our Long Beach facility. As we continue to execute our holistic approach to deliver vital manufacturing capabilities to the United States and allied partners, we are proud to support the DIU in accelerating adoption and scaling of AM to strengthen warfighter readiness.”
About Nikon AM Synergy Inc.
Operating from the Nikon AM Technology Center in Long Beach, California; Nikon AM Synergy Inc. is a provider of holistic solutions in additive manufacturing (AM), R&D, and engineering. Our mission is to accelerate customer adoption and scaling of metal AM for cutting-edge applications, with a particular focus on the defense and aerospace sectors. This will be through both Nikon SLM Solutions’ industry-leading laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology and Nikon’s other internally developed solutions, enhanced by premier metallurgy and metrology capabilities. Nikon AM Synergy manufacturing operations meet the stringent security requirements of defense, energy, and aerospace clients. These capabilities are bolstered by our collaborative and hands-on approach, as well as technical and business development teams with extensive industry knowledge and expertise, consistently delivering results for our strategic customers. For more information, visit https://amsynergy.nikon.com.
