Missile Defense Agency is seeking $9.6 billion in FY23 budget to boost homeland defenses
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Aerobotix, an AS9100-certified FANUC robotics integrator for the aerospace and defense industries, today marked the installation of its 40th robotic system for the U.S. missile manufacturing industry. Defense contractors are using Aerobotix automated systems to enhance capabilities and efficiencies.
Congressional Funding Increases Support Missile Defense
The systems support their efforts to ramp up production of advanced missiles for the U.S. Government.The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking $9.6 billion in FY23. The funds will expand regional and homeland defenses against increasingly complex and capable missile threats. The MDA requested $8.9 billion in FY22. Congress provided an additional $1.5 billion for a total of $10.4 billion. Congress has increased MDA funding for two years in a row. The agency hasn’t requested sufficient funds to meet the requirements of the National Defense Strategy, Congress argues.
Automation Drives Production Efficiency
“Automation is often the smartest strategy when defense contractors really need to increase production,” said Ricky Schwartz, Principal Engineer at Aerobotix. “Contractors are realizing it’s time to ‘tech up.’ That’s why we’ve now installed 40 robotic systems for U.S. missile manufacturing. We’re already on our way to No. 50.
“Recent demand has focused around the automation of testing, scanning and quality operations. We transform these manual – and sometimes even subjective – inspections into fully-automated processes that just crank out products. Our robots can perform a perfect inspection every time and record the data. The customer then has a digital twin of the missile.”
Proven Durability and ROI
In recent months, Aerobotix has delivered robotic systems to support surge production at several prime defense contractor sites. These sites manufacture missiles. The robotic systems support interceptor, cruise, air-to-air and hypersonic missile production on multiple levels. Industrial-grade FANUC robots integrated by Aerobotix operate for 60,000+ hours before a major failure. This enables more than 10 years of 24-hour operation.
This level of durability ensures a strong return on investment. It gives contractors confidence that they can answer the call for more product. It also removes human workers from dangerous or difficult manufacturing environments, where robots excel. Aerobotix robotic systems comprise off-the-shelf commercial components. These components create flexible, turn-key systems. A customer’s internal maintenance and engineering teams can support them.
Diverse Manufacturing Applications
Aerobotix works with defense contractors to identify missile manufacturing processes best suited to automation. The company has designed, built, installed and programmed robotic systems for various processes. These include structured light scanning, active force compliant sanding, and painting of performance coatings. They also include sculpting of outer mold line shape, non-contact coating thickness measurement, and automated application of masking tape.
“A lot of the work that Aerobotix does is commercial in confidence. Our customers include some of the biggest names in defense manufacturing,” added Schwartz. “We’re proud that our robot technology helps build the missiles needed to keep America safe from any potential adversaries.”
About Aerobotix
Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, the company specializes in the creation of cutting-edge robotic solutions for high-value, high-precision components, aircraft, and vehicles. Aerobotix has more than 155 robotic systems installed in the U.S. and abroad, providing exceptional results and savings for our clients.