ARRIS Composites has been awarded a Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis (SBIR) Direct-to-Section II contract from AFWERX to develop high-rate thermoplastic composite molding applied sciences for aerospace constructions. The contract helps efforts to advance light-weight, high-strength structural elements for next-generation U.S. Air Pressure plane and unmanned aerial programs (UAS).
The award is a part of the Division of the Air Pressure’s Open Matter SBIR/STTR program, which streamlines contract processes for small companies and accelerates the transition of rising applied sciences into protection purposes. ARRIS started work below the contract on Sept. 23, 2025.
The Berkeley, California-based firm is making use of its Additive Molding manufacturing method, which mixes software program, supplies engineering, and steady fiber-reinforced thermoplastics to supply high-performance elements at scale. Whereas ARRIS has deployed the expertise throughout numerous sectors, together with shopper electronics, automotive, and industrial merchandise, this contract represents a targeted push into the aerospace and protection sectors.
AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Pressure and a directorate throughout the Air Pressure Analysis Laboratory (AFRL), reviews it has awarded over 10,400 contracts totaling greater than $7.24 billion since 2019. The SBIR Section II contract with ARRIS is meant to speed up the transition of novel composite manufacturing capabilities into operational readiness for navy platforms.
