Plymouth-based tech company is awarded an Air Force contract
MARSHALL CO., Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Plymouth-based blockchain innovator SIMBA Chain Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase I contract from the U.S. Air Force to help develop critical mission technology.
The Department of Defense says the funding will support SIMBA’s efforts to develop a solution that would allow the USAF to manufacture, test and deploy 3-D printed replacement parts for aircraft and other weaponry on the battlefield.
SIMBA says its use of blockchain would allow the military to have secure conversations to manufacture specific parts while in forward-operating areas during deployments around the world.
The technology company says it has teamed with Steel Modular, Inc. to offer the Air Force a self-contained, mobile 3D manufacturing facility housed in a repurposed shipping container.
The company says each container is equipped with the necessary components and resources to conduct 3D printing of replacement parts.
SIMBA Chain Chief Executive Officer Joel Neidig says the goal is to help the military design and produce replacement parts in days rather than months, responding faster in combat equipment needs.
“Our blockchain technology ensures data integrity and protects against tampering of intellectual property and communications,” said Neidig. “Sophisticated hackers are a very real threat and deploying SIMBA Chain globally and on a distributed, decentralized basis, provides an unhackable barrier and protects supply chain governance.”
Neidig says based on the success of the SBIR Phase I project, the company could be awarded a Phase II grant worth $1 million.
In January, SIMBA was also awarded an SBIR Phase II grant from the U.S. Navy.