National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence dedicated

Local, state, and federal leaders celebrated the ribbon cutting of the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Springfield, Ohio.

“This facility, in conjunction with strong partnerships between the City, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Dayton Development Coalition (DDC), JobsOhio, and the State of Ohio provides the infrastructure necessary to expedite the development of this revolutionary technology,” City of Springfield Assistant City Manager Tom Franzen said. “Having the opportunity to be in the forefront of these efforts will position the region to attract additional investments and jobs of the future.”

NAAMCE’s 30,000ft² office facility houses administrative, laboratory, meeting, and collaboration space, with an additional 25,000ft² aircraft hangar space for the US Air Force and private industry. The center supports the expanding work of manufacturers and operators of electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL) and other vehicles used for advanced air mobility (AAM).

Twelve companies have announced their commitment to operate at NAAMCE’s 30,000ft² facility with 4,500ft² still available for occupancy. PLANA, a hybrid AAM aircraft developer, recently signed a lease agreement to locate at NAAMCE as part of their efforts to speed up their technology research and development as well as global expansion.

“Participating in NAAMCE is of great significance in building a collaborative ecosystem with various AAM projects currently being developed in the U.S.,” Minyoung Ahn, co-founder and chief strategy officer of PLANA, said. “It is a great opportunity to showcase South Korea’s AAM technology to the world and jointly develop new technologies for the future.”

Toray Group, a leader in advanced composite material solutions, said the company’s decision to establish operations at NAAMCE was a continuation of the company’s strategic focus to support the research and development activities in the AAM market, including work on autonomous flight and electric vertical take-off and landing system vehicles. The location provides aviation leaders an opportunity to tap into the extensive Toray global network of composite material experts to continue creating cutting-edge, energy-efficient vehicles for future generations.

"We’re very excited to be part of the NAAMCE and work in close proximity with various members of the AAM community to advance innovative vehicle technology for a sustainable future," said Stacy Biel, UAM & DOD segment manager. “Toray has an established history of being a proven material supplier supporting the growth of the AAM sector. We’re honored to be part of the NAAMCE as we continue enabling industry leaders to take to the air, from prototype to high-rate production.”

“The new National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence reaffirms Southwest Ohio’s reputation as the preeminent region for aviation innovation in the world, and I am pleased to have helped secure over $10 million in federal funding to establish the Center,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “This state-of-the-art facility signals that the spirit of the Wright Brothers in this region is alive and thriving. I look forward to working with the Center to further grow our local economy and bolster the Miami Valley’s aviation industry.”

The Department of Defense approved a $6 million Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant to support the project in 2021. JobsOhio supported the project through the Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP). JobsOhio contributed a $2.9 million OSIP grant for the facility to cover site preparation, utility extensions, an access drive, and parking area for the facilities.

“The NAAMCE at the Springfield-Beckley Airport is a state-of-the-art facility unlike any other in the nation, and it places Ohio at the forefront of eVTOL research, innovation, testing and advancement,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “Proximity to Wright-Patt and a talented workforce along with Ohio’s unmatched aviation heritage and spirit of collaboration make the Miami Valley the premier destination for future investment in this technology that can transform the future of commercial aviation air travel and protect our national security.”

The event took place on the first day of the National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum (NAAMIF), hosted by the Dayton Development Coalition, in collaboration with the City of Springfield, JobsOhio, Clark State College and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The two-day event started at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport with flight demonstrations and static displays. The second day featured industry panel discussions at Clark State College’s Hollenbeck Bailey Creative Arts and Conference Center in downtown Springfield.

“The NAAMCE follows the grand tradition of Col. Edward Deed’s Barn Gang. Col. Deeds, Charles Kettering, Orville and Wilbur Wright, John Patterson, and others gathered in his barn to push the limits of what was possible. Working together, troubleshooting and problem solving, their inventions changed the world in profound ways,” said Dayton Development Coalition President & CEO Jeff Hoagland. “The NAAMCE gives our innovators the right atmosphere to revolutionize the way we travel and creates another Ohio legacy for invention and flight.”