On the western edge of Texas, El Paso Makes is redefining how regional manufacturing supports national security. As the Department of War (DoW) advances digital engineering (DE), additive manufacturing (AM), and secure cloud systems, with computer-aided design (CAD) at the helm, it’s evident that America’s readiness depends on a stronger, more resilient Defense Industrial Base (DIB). This expansion marks its deliberate broadening to include manufacturing capabilities not previously developed at scale, representing a pivotal shift that reinforces the robust strength being built in communities like El Paso.
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EL PASO, TX – El Paso Makes has been awarded a $1,031,000 federal Community Project grant, one of just 12 selected from more than 60 applicants, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (16th District, Texas) announced March 12.
The Fiscal Year 2026 funding will support a manufacturing research initiative aimed at helping El Paso’s small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt digital engineering and automation technologies — tools considered essential to strengthening U.S. defense production.
The project focuses on developing scalable models to support the production of All Domain Attritable Autonomous Systems (ADA2), autonomous defense technologies viewed as critical to maintaining a competitive edge against global adversaries such as China.
El Paso Makes will work directly with regional manufacturers to integrate advanced digital tools into production environments, enabling companies to modernize operations and expand their participation in aerospace and defense supply chains.
“The work funded through this project will focus on fabricating critical drone components, specifically flight controllers,” said David Espalin, Ph.D., Director of El Paso Makes. “It builds on the success of our initial phase, where we connected a local Tier 1 Department of Defense supplier with small and medium-sized manufacturers to create a digital cloud infrastructure for producing missile components. In this next phase, we’re expanding that network and developing a digital twin to simulate the full production process.”
Dr. Espalin said the effort represents a shift from early-stage prototyping to full-scale production. “It’s a significant step forward as we move this pilot into real-world manufacturing applications supporting military, emergency response, and mapping needs,” he said. “It also expands opportunities for El Paso manufacturers and supports the creation of high-quality, high-tech jobs in the region.”
Established in 2023 and managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), El Paso Makes connects manufacturers in El Paso and West Texas with suppliers, technical expertise, and research resources needed to compete in high-demand defense and aerospace markets.
According to Dr. Espalin, the award underscores the region’s growing role in advanced manufacturing. “Securing this funding is a major milestone for our manufacturing community,” he said. “It strengthens our ability to support national defense priorities while creating new opportunities for companies and workers across West Texas.”
The funding is part of a broader slate of community project investments announced by Escobar to support infrastructure, research, and economic development across Texas’s 16th Congressional District.
(Pictured from left, David Espalin, El Paso Makes; Congresswoman Veronica Escobar; Mireya Flores, Senior Project Engineer, El Paso Makes)
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EL PASO, TX – El Paso Makes has been awarded a $1,031,000 federal Community Project grant, one of just 12 selected from more than 60 applicants, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (16th District, Texas) announced March 12.