STRATFORD, CT—The U.S. Navy has approved full-rate production of the Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter, a decision that is expected to increase production to more than 20 helicopters annually in the coming years. Sikorsky is procuring long-lead items and critical materials to support building full rate production CH-53K helicopters in its digital factory.

MALTA, NY—Lockheed Martin and GlobalFoundries (GF) are collaborating to advance U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and innovation and to increase the security, reliability and resiliency of domestic supply chains for national security systems. 

LEIPZIG, Germany—BMW’s first cell coating line for EV battery manufacturing has begun operation at the carmaker’s assembly plant here.

BROOMFIELD, CO—James Engineering has developed an automated alternative to traditional deburring and chamfering methods with the new 11-axis MAX System CNC-type deburring and chamfering machine. The machine consists of two, five-axis heads and a C-axis rotary worktable. Servomotors position the heads via an X-Y overhead gantry using hardened, chrome, ground shafts and carriers with multiple, preloaded bearings.

LOCUST GROVE, GA—Automotive parts manufacturer NVH Korea will invest $72 million to build a new assembly plant here. The factory is expected to create more than 160  jobs.

LANDSHUT, Germany—The BMW Group’s light metal foundry here has been recertified by an independent party for its sustainable use of aluminum, meeting the standards of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI), an international nonprofit organization supported by environmental and industrial associations, aluminum producers and processing companies. The ASI defines sustainability criteria for an environmentally and socially responsible aluminum value chain.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is partnering with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide $10 billion in funding through the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C). The notice released June 5 allocates up to $4 billion to accelerate domestic clean energy manufacturing and ensure no community is left behind in the transition to clean energy technologies.   

LOS ALTOS, CA—The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has unveiled a new way to use generative artificial intelligence to help vehicle designers come up with innovative designs more quickly.

TORONTO—Lockheed Martin recently completed a project to evaluate the automation of airframe manufacturing operations using six-axis robots equipped with artificial intelligence technology from Canadian tech startup Xaba.

FRANKFURT, Germany—Sales of industrial robots in India reached a new record of 4,945 units in 2021, a 54 percent compared with the previous year, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). In terms of annual installations, India now ranks tenth worldwide.