AeroVironment (AV) secured a $20 million, 39-month Ceramics Advanced Materials and Processes (CAMP) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate to advance next-generation ceramic and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials for extreme aerospace and defense applications supporting the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
AV’s materials experts will collaborate with AFRL scientists and engineers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced materials technologies that enhance mission readiness and reduce lifecycle costs. The team will leverage additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and sensor integration to develop lightweight, thermally resilient structures for demanding applications, including hypersonic vehicles, turbine engines, rocket propulsion systems, transparent armor, thermal protection systems, and nozzle extensions designed for extreme operating environments.
“CAMP represents a vital investment in technologies that will preserve America’s advantage across air and space domains,” said Johnathan Jones, Senior Vice President of Cyber and Mission Solutions at AV. “By advancing the next generation of high-temperature materials and manufacturing processes, we will deliver capabilities that enhance mission readiness, extend operational endurance, and strengthen the technological superiority of our Air and Space Forces.” “Collaborations with our customers are at the heart of what we do,” said Dr. John Hogan, Vice President of Defense and Interagency Service at AV. “Through the CAMP program, we’re not just developing better ceramics—we’re creating the materials foundation for the future of flight and space operations. This collaboration ensures our research directly supports mission readiness, durability, and operational effectiveness for the Air and Space Forces.”