The American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI) broke ground on the Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub (MEIH), a defense manufacturing and innovation site designed to modernize how the U.S. develops, tests and scales critical technologies and energetics production for the military.
ACMI expects the project, backed by an initial $50 million award from Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), to catalyze more than $200 million in additional private investment.
Through phased construction, ACMI anticipates initial operations will begin in 2027.
Interior rendering of one of the buildingsAmerican Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI)
Located near NSWC IHD, the MEIH will host companies and research institutions focused on solving problems for the U.S. military across eight priority innovation areas, including energetics for uncrewed systems, next-generation propulsion systems and manufacturing automation.
ACMI announced at the groundbreaking ceremony that Energetics Technology Center (ETC) and Applied Research Associates (ARA) will serve as inaugural tenants and partners. The organization added that it plans to make announcements regarding additional tenancy at a later date.
“This initiative ensures that NSWC Indian Head Division remains at the forefront of energetics innovation, scale-up and production,” NSWC IHD Commanding Officer Captain Steve Duba said. “By bringing together government and industry partners in a collaborative environment, we can accelerate the development and fielding of critical capabilities that strengthen the Navy’s arsenal and the larger munitions industrial base.”
