U.S. weapons makers will join forces with medical device companies to increase the supply of ventilators that can be used to combat the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report in Nasdaq Inc..
The two groups do not regularly partner on projects, but when a defense industry consultant with an engineering background realized weapons makers could help solve supply-chain problems within the U.S. ventilator industry, the creation of Vent Connect was set in motion and is set to be announced on Monday, the people said.
The idea gathered momentum when industry associations like the Aerospace Industries Association, which represents plane makers and defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corp LMT.N and General Dynamics Corp GD.N, teamed up with AdvaMed, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, whose members include vent manufacturers.
A handful of ventilator makers including ResMed Inc RMD.N, and Zoll, an Asahi Kasei Corp 3407.T company, post requests in the ventilator parts marketplace to a group of 60 weapons and airplane makers to help meet surging demand for the life-saving machines, an AdvaMed representative said.
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Featured image: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor shown during a flight demo at the Los Angeles County Airshow. Photo © Ajdibilio, courtesy Dreamstime (ID 155679021).
