Case Study: a Tier-1 defense contractor keeps a critical test launch on schedule with Xometry

Tier-1 defense contractor cuts lead times from 1–2 weeks to 1–2 days with Xometry

A Tier-1 defense contractor faced significant delays when it needed to urgently source a complex bill of materials comprising over 1,000 components for a critical test flight. The challenge was finding a supplier that could handle the volume, part complexity, and rapid qualification required to meet the inflexible deadline, as most suppliers quoted lead times of one to two weeks. The contractor partnered with Xometry to leverage its manufacturing network and services.

Xometry mobilized 44 manufacturing partners simultaneously, using its AS9100 certification for quality control. Through proactive project management, process efficiency recommendations, and incremental shipping, Xometry drastically reduced lead times to just one to two days for many parts. This ensured the test launch proceeded on schedule, avoiding costly delays, and resulted in the defense contractor engaging Xometry for over 20 new programs.