February 5, 2026 – At this week’s 10th Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase (MILAM) in Tampa, Fla., John Tomblin was honored with the 5th Annual MILAM Lifetime Achievement Award. Tomblin is Wichita State University’s executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and executive director of the WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research.
The MILAM Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes consistent, distinguished service by an individual who has made ground-breaking lifetime contributions with an enduring impact in the areas of additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
NIAR participated in the summit and showcase this week, demonstrating its leadership in advancing digital engineering and additive manufacturing and an ongoing commitment to supporting military priorities and strengthening readiness and resilience for defense partners.
In addition to hosting a booth to showcase current programs, initiatives and technology, NIAR leaders supported event programming. Lauren Tubesing, NIAR chief of operations for advanced materials research, participated in a panel on Advancing Qualified AM Processes to Revolutionize Future Aircraft Sustainment; and Mark Shaw, NIAR chief engineer for advanced materials research, moderated the Death Valley to Mt. McKinley – Accelerating the Mission to Scale AM 10x by 2027 session.
“MILAM provides a critical platform for collaboration and innovation,” said Tomblin. “It is an incredible honor to receive the MILAM Lifetime Achievement Award. It is a testament to the groundbreaking work being done by the NIAR team and our unwavering commitment to delivering advanced manufacturing solutions that enhance mission readiness and operational resilience.”
NIAR’s participation at MILAM sets the stage for two upcoming events in Wichita that will further showcase its digital engineering and additive manufacturing capabilities.
- April 29-30: Dassault Systèmes® Global Digital Engineering Defense Summit
- June 10: Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research (HAMR) Grand Opening
About the National Institute for Aviation Research
The mission of Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research is to strengthen university research capabilities; provide applied learning opportunities for students; and support the aviation and manufacturing industries – while driving innovation and prosperity for the community, region and state. NIAR provides research, testing, certification and training for aviation and manufacturing technologies. Established in 1985, NIAR has a $400 million annual budget, 2,100 personnel and over 2 million square feet of laboratory and office space in six locations across Wichita, Kansas, and one in Huntsville, Alabama.