ASTRO America September 2025 Newsletter

Oct 10, 2025

ASTRO Recap – September

Greetings from ASTRO! đź‘‹

In this month’s issue:

  • ASTRO to Spearhead America Makes/NCDMM Defense Manufacturing Project
  • ASTRO in Action
  • ASTRO in the News
  • Coming Up

ASTRO America to Spearhead Defense Manufacturing Project ⚙️

America makesLast week, we were proud to announce that ASTRO has been selected to lead a $1.66 million initiative under the Quality Test and Inspection Methods Expediency (QTIME) project call from America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM). Funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech), the initiative will accelerate the adoption of metal additive manufacturing (AM) by advancing rapid, cost-effective inspection and qualification methods for complex 3D-printed parts.

“This award will allow us to focus on breaking one of the biggest bottlenecks in metal 3D printing: inspection,” said Dr. Abdalla Nassar, Vice President and General Manager, ASTRO America. 

This initiative will tackle one of the biggest bottlenecks in metal 3D printing: inspection of complex parts. Our team will pioneer rapid, cost-effective, layer-by-layer monitoring methods for lattice structures, cutting inspection costs by up to 90% and reducing timelines from hours to under one.

Working alongside partners like Applied Optimization, The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University, Florida State University, Colorado School of Mines, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, and Lockheed Martin, we’re advancing additive manufacturing technologies critical to aerospace, defense, and beyond.

Read the full press release here.

ASTRO in Action 🎤

Last month, ASTRO was on-island for the 2025 Guam Defense Forum, where Director and General Manager of GAMMA, Alex Benham joined a panel titled “Getting Ahead of the Need: Developing an Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem on Guam.” 

The discussion highlighted GAMMA’s critical role in Indo-Pacific sustainment by showcasing a forward-deployed capability that reduces supply chain risk, accelerates readiness, and strengthens resilience for U.S. forces. Panelists explored how Guam has positioned itself as a hub for advanced and additive manufacturing that delivers sustainment for the Department of Defense while driving dual-use benefits for the island’s economy. 

The conversation emphasized the partnerships building this innovation ecosystem and the workforce development pipeline needed to anchor these capabilities on-island for the long term. The panel was moderated by Debbie Holton, ASTRO America’s SVP of Strategy, and fellow panelists included Matt Herrmann of The Roosevelt Group, Doyan Morato of Marunda, Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez – President, University of Guam, and Melvin Tabilas of the Guam Economic Development Authority.

Watch the full panel discussion below:

ASTRO in the News 📰 

Guam Defense Forum

In the lead-up to the Guam Defense Forum, The Guam Daily Post previewed the event as a pivotal moment amid “several major defense initiatives reshaping Guam’s landscape,” specifically highlighting GAMMA and noting Alex Benham’s participation on a panel about building an advanced manufacturing ecosystem on the island.

Following the event, the Pacific Daily News recapped the panel discussion, spotlighting how additive manufacturing can strengthen Guam’s defense readiness while also driving local job creation and educational pathways. Alex’s remarks helped illustrate how technologies like 3D printing are poised to transform supply chains, reduce logistical vulnerabilities, and expand economic opportunities across the island

GAMMA: Full Steam Ahead

GAMMA: Full Steam Ahead During and after the forum, Alex sat down with both the Pacific Daily News and The Guam Daily Post for wide-ranging interviews covering his on-island presence, the ramp-up of GAMMA, and what this initiative means for the people of Guam.

In The Guam Daily Post, Alex captured the moment, “Up until this point a lot of the operations we’ve been having have been for the legwork to get everything set up…Having me here basically symbolized that the machines are coming. I’m here. The work is happening here on the island. It’s no longer over on the mainland. (It’s) just not legwork anymore. It’s actual work.” 

Meanwhile, in his interview with the Pacific Daily News, Alex shared more technical insight into GAMMA’s expansion, detailing the new Dededo facility, expected timelines for 3D printing industrial-grade parts for the Navy, and the educational and economic opportunities GAMMA is expected to generate on-island.

GAMMA: Full Steam Ahead As GAMMA enters its next phase, two key events are planned for late October and early November. The first will focus on workforce development and educational engagement, while the second will convene potential operators and partners to explore specific military applications for GAMMA’s advanced manufacturing technologies.

Stay tuned for updates. 🇬🇺

Coming Up 🗓️