CHICAGO — MxD has been awarded two U.S. Department of War grants totaling $2.4 million to accelerate the digital modernization of the U.S. casting and forging (C&F) sector.
The new awards build on MxD’s casting and forging initiative that brought together government, industry and technology leaders for national workshops, resulting in a Casting & Forging Digital Fabric Roadmap and a June 2026 webinar.
“Our goal has been to move beyond identifying challenges to implementing solutions,” said MxD CEO Berardino Baratta. “These projects build on the Casting & Forging Digital Fabric Roadmap and the collaborative work we’ve led over the past year, helping manufacturers take meaningful steps toward a more resilient, digitally connected future.”
Casting and forging manufacturers produce critical, foundational components used in nearly every major defense platform – from aircraft and ships to armored vehicles, munitions and propulsion systems. However, much of the sector continues to rely on aging equipment, manual processes and an increasingly constrained workforce, creating bottlenecks that affect readiness across the defense supply chain.
The new projects focus on two priorities identified throughout MxD’s workshop activities:
Building Smarter, More Reliable Foundries
The first project will pilot sensor retrofits and predictive maintenance technologies on legacy casting and forging equipment. These technologies will enable manufacturers to collect real-time operational data, reduce downtime, minimize waste, and improve production reliability without replacing expensive machinery. The effort will create a scalable blueprint that manufacturers across the defense industrial base can adopt to accelerate their digital transformation.
Developing the Next Generation Workforce
The second project will create a Casting & Forging Workforce Readiness Guide that establishes standardized roles, skills and career pathways for the industry while developing new training curriculum delivered through MxD’s Virtual Training Center. The initiative will help employers better define workforce needs and build a stronger pipeline of skilled workers prepared for increasingly digital manufacturing environments.
These projects complement MxD’s recently released Casting & Forging Digital Fabric Roadmap, which identifies the technologies, workforce capabilities and digital infrastructure needed to strengthen the sector while supporting Department of War modernization priorities. The roadmap was informed through workshops and engagement with manufacturers, government stakeholders and technology providers to identify the greatest barriers and opportunities for digital transformation.
Together, MxD’s casting and forging portfolio is creating a comprehensive modernization strategy that spans technology, workforce development and industry collaboration.
