FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dayton, OH, April 27, 2026:
The MMEC and the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing innovation, strengthening national security, and accelerating economic growth through the integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) and microelectronics technologies.
The agreement formalizes a shared commitment between MMEC and NAAMCE to align resources, expertise, and infrastructure to support the development of next-generation capabilities in autonomous flight, power and propulsion systems, sensing technologies, communications, and energy management.
“This partnership represents a critical step toward reinforcing U.S. leadership in both microelectronics and advanced air mobility,” said Jackie Janning-Lask, Chief Executive Officer of MMEC. “By aligning our ecosystems, we are creating a powerful platform to accelerate innovation, strengthen the defense industrial base, and drive meaningful economic impact.”
Through this collaboration, MMEC and NAAMCE will focus on several key areas, including:
• Joint development of digital and physical infrastructure to support innovation and commercialization
• Workforce development and education initiatives to build a highly skilled talent pipeline
• Enhanced competitiveness for federal and state funding opportunities
• Strategic alignment with Department of Defense mission partners for advanced drone, counter-drone, and eVTOL technologies
• Promotion of sustainable operations and co-investment across industry, academia, and government stakeholders
“This MOU reflects our shared vision to position Ohio and the nation as a leader in advanced air mobility,” said Theodore Angel, Executive Director of NAAMCE. “By integrating cutting-edge microelectronics with AAM capabilities, we are accelerating the development of transformative technologies that will define the future of mobility and national defense.”
The collaboration will also include the formation of a NAAMCE-led AAM working group within MMEC, reciprocal membership opportunities, and ongoing coordination through regular meetings to ensure progress and alignment.
This non-binding agreement establishes a framework for continued partnership while enabling both organizations to explore future opportunities for deeper collaboration, investment, and program execution.
About MMEC
MMEC leads the acceleration of microelectronic technologies and delivers solutions to establish a trusted and resilient domestic supply chain. The MMEC is the premier collaborative, public-private ecosystem, that engages broadly across innovative partners in industry, academia and government to rapidly advance defense and commercial applications. This unique environment empowers members to discover new technologies, share capabilities, develop a skilled workforce and launch groundbreaking innovation into scalable commercial production for the benefit of National Security and economic dominance.
About NAAMCE
The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) provides AAM companies with the nation’s only integrated build-test-fly ecosystem with National Airspace access up to 18,000 feet, enabling faster testing, validation, certification, and commercialization. NAAMCE is dedicated to advancing the development and integration of next-generation air mobility technologies, fostering innovation, workforce development, and economic growth within the AAM ecosystem
Media Relations:
Karsten Olson
kolson@mmeconsortium.org