ARLINGTON, VA, August 9, 2022 – President Biden signed H.R. 4346, the CHIPS and Science
Act, which included composites-specific language as part of the NASA Authorization. The
American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) applauds the bill which authorizes
NASA’s investment in research and development for advanced materials and manufacturing
processes as well as an advanced materials and manufacturing technology program to develop
“new materials including composites and high temperature materials.”
“Members of ACMA’s senior leadership, including myself, met with senior congressional staff in
both the House and Senate on the need for inclusion of composites-specific language in the bill
to spur further federal research and development that could then be commercialized. ACMA
also partnered with other major associations in a joint letter calling for the swift passage of this
bill. We are very happy that Congress agreed that this is an essential part of U.S.
competitiveness in aerospace and included this language. This is a tremendous victory for
ACMA, the composites manufacturing industry, and our customers and partners,” said ACMA
Vice President of Government Relations Daniel Neumann.
In particular, ACMA supports the following language:
- It is the sense of Congress that NASA should maintain “large-scale flight test
experimentation and validation” programs aimed at transitioning “new technologies and
materials, including associated manufacturing processes” for aviation and aeronautics
use. - It is the policy of the United States to maintain world leadership in civilian aeronautical
science and technology, including “advanced materials and manufacturing processes”
and “high-temperature structures and materials.” - The legislation states that NASA should “expand collaboration” with industry and
academia on “basic research and technology development” for advanced materials. - Lastly, NASA may establish an advanced materials and manufacturing technology
program to develop “new materials including composite and high temperature materials,
from base material formulation through full-scale structural validation and
manufacturing.”
The CHIPS and Science Act also supports the development of “advanced materials and
manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, to reduce the cost of manufacturing
scale-up and certification for use in aeronautics” and “noninvasive and nondestructive” testing,
including for materials and manufacturing processes. Additionally, the legislation urges NASA to
“reduce the time it takes to design, industrialize, and certify advanced materials and
manufacturing processes,” paving the way for swift innovation in the marketplace.
To learn more about ACMA’s government affairs and public policy initiatives and how to get
involved, contact Daniel Neumann at dneumann@acmanet.org.