CONCORD, N.H. — November 8, 2010 — Nanocomp Technologies, Inc., a developer of energy-saving
performance materials and component products from carbon nanotubes (CNTs), today announced it has
been awarded a manufacturing contract from Northrop Grumman under the U.S. Army Manufacturing
Technology Program (ManTech). Nanocomp will work in partnership with Northrop Grumman Aerospace
Systems (NYSE: NOC) to develop manufacturing best practices for a next generation of CNT cabling
and tapes, intended for near-term insertion into aircraft as a replacement for conventional
copper-based wires and cables.
The two-year program, entitled the
Nanocomposite Connector Partnership, will include configuration and material trade studies
to define cable design parameters and replicable manufacturing processes. The end result will be an
optimized manufacturing platform designed to produce efficient and cost-effective materials, so
that transition and broad-based implementation of carbon nanotube-based conductors can take place.
“Nanocomp’s material quickly stood out as the most advanced carbon nanotube technology on the
market that would help us meet the rigorous demands of the ManTech program,” said Dr. Don DiMarzio,
IPT leader, emerging concepts of Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “Together, we believe this
initiative will result in a true 21st century solution to vastly improve the weight and fuel
efficiency of modern aircraft, for sustainable cost and energy savings.”
“While the Company’s carbon nanotube technology is increasingly being viewed as a viable
alternative to conventional materials in aerospace applications, this program marks a more
significant milestone towards delivering a credible fabrication capability for military aviation,
at-scale,” said Peter Antoinette, president and CEO of Nanocomp Technologies. “We are thrilled to
work with world leading industry partners to take our products beyond their technology promise,
creating a meaningful path towards volume production.”
The ManTech Program supports the manufacturing technology needs of the Army’s acquisition
community, to enable affordable production and sustainment of future defense systems, as well as
affordable transition to new technologies that will enhance the capabilities of current systems.
Posted on November 9, 2010
Source: Nanocomp Technologies Inc.
