KIHOMAC runner-up at the 2024 Utah Innovation Awards
KIHOMAC’s patented F35 MXU-1072/A ATP makes news again!
KIHOMAC, Inc., developer of next generation aerospace and defense solutions, was recognized as runner up in the Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Design category at the 2024 Utah Innovation Awards.
KIHOMAC was recognized by the 2024 Utah Innovation Awards for their patented MXU-1072/A Advanced Travel Pod (ATP). The annual awards program celebrates innovative Utah companies and individuals who are solving complex problems with creative solutions to showcase the state as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.
Peers and academic communities rigorously evaluated each honoree’s products, services, or processes for economic impact, market need and expansion, and the feasibility and practicality of bringing the innovation to market, including scalability and sustainability.
KIHOMAC’s ATP, the first new composite travel pod specifically designed for 5th generation fighters, is a modern solution for transporting luggage, tools, equipment, and spare parts for the operators of F-35A fighter aircraft. It incorporates advanced construction and composite materials that match the modern aircraft that it’s designed to support. Composite materials allow a stronger pod with increased damage resistance and volumetric carrying capacity over aluminum pods with larger openings and greater ease of access.
The KIHOMAC team identified operational and supportability concerns with legacy travel pod designs that led them to develop an improved replacement travel pod designed to support the F-35 community’s unique needs. “Our replacement enables the F-35A community to better support the concept of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) through greater self-reliance on the weapons platform itself. The increased capacity allows expanded use beyond traditional basic loads to include larger support equipment and spare parts,” said Adam Grimm, KIHOMAC President and COO.
KIHOMAC internally funded over 20 months of engineering and manufacturing efforts to develop the F-35A ATP. The result is a superior product, engineered to be lightweight, cost effective, user-friendly, and sustainable, while facilitating a simplified logistics footprint.
KIHOMAC engineers made considerable improvements in all areas while incorporating enhancements suggested by current Air Force maintenance professionals. These requests included larger access panels with multiple points of entry, simplified carry capability, anti-roll stabilizers, and an adjustable cargo stabilization system.
About the Utah Innovation Awards
The Utah Innovation Awards recognizes and celebrates Utah’s companies and individuals groundbreaking advancements across various industries in the categories of advanced manufacturing, software, consumer products, fintech, medical technology, and sustainability.
All Innovation Awards honorees are featured in the August issue of Utah Business magazine.
About KIHOMAC
KIHOMAC is a veteran-owned small business based in Layton, Utah, with a strong focus on providing innovative solutions for the aerospace and defense industries. They provide systems engineering and integration, prototyping, manufacturing, and aircraft and weapon system component modification and modernization to the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, and other Government and commercial customers.
KIHOMAC F35 MXU-1072/A ATP
- Airworthiness certified
- SEEK Eagle certified
