ATLANTA, GA (September 5, 2023) – In a grand stride towards refining America's hypersonic frontier, Atomic-6 is proud to announce a newly awarded STTR Phase I contract with the Defense Logistics Agency, valued at $100,000. This exclusive collaboration shines light on the visionary mold technology Atomic-6 has developed for mass manufacturing of high-performance hypersonic thermal protection systems.
Gillian Bussey, the esteemed director of the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office, comments, "As we advance our offensive and defensive hypersonic capabilities, it's paramount to ramp up the production capacity of such revolutionary systems."
Atomic-6 emerged to address a longstanding dilemma the composites world grappled with: How to fuse aerospace-grade excellence with the economy of scale seen in the automotive industry. Atomic-6's innovative mold technology illustrates this synergy, optimizing the composite manufacturing process and achieving staggering production speeds, 20 times faster in specific scenarios. The feedback from top-tier defense experts in the U.S has been unanimous – "We need more of this!"
On the global stage, hypersonic systems, reaching breathtaking speeds of over Mach 5, have redefined strategic defense models. With the candid acknowledgment by Gen. David Thompson of the U.S. Space Force in 2021 about the nation's position in the hypersonic arms race, it's evident that the quest for hypersonic dominance has intensified.
Peter Shpik, CTO of Atomic-6, and a stalwart in hypersonics, reflects on the journey, "My prior tenure at Rohr/Collins Aerospace, where I was deeply involved in projects like the Rockwell X-30, has equipped me with invaluable insights. Marrying that experience with Atomic-6's cutting-edge mold technology, we're poised to elevate the production capacity and manufacturing capability of composite hypersonic parts."
The Defense Logistics Agency, recognizing the strategic importance of hypersonics, is keenly vested in nurturing innovative technologies. Paul Petkevicius from AFRL RXMS asserts, "AFRL RXMS has a high interest in Atomic-6… to develop and demonstrate higher performing hypersonic thermal protection systems with scaled production through its proprietary advanced manufacturing process. We are interested in seeing if Atomic-6’s unique manufacturing processes and capabilities are a viable thermal protection system alternate for current and/or next generation hypersonic systems. There is a strong need to increase the current supply base to address current production capacity limitations and cost challenges."
Tying it back to history, the Rockwell X-30, an iconic project that Shpik contributed to, has evolved into the X-37B, America's pinnacle in unmanned reentry spacecraft technology.
With an avalanche of interest pouring in from industry giants, Atomic-6 stands on the cusp of a transformative era in hypersonic manufacturing. Their bold blend of technology, leadership, infrastructure, and expertise makes them a formidable contender in ushering a new era for U.S. defense capabilities.
In closing, Atomic-6 conveys, "It's more than just a proposal; it's our homage to the nation's drive for hypersonic excellence. We're both humbled and driven to be at the helm of this endeavor."
About DLA
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) oversees the entire defense supply chain, serving military branches, combatant commands, and other agencies, including international allies. With the motto, "ensure readiness for our Warfighters through top-notch global logistics," DLA's 25,000-strong team handles contracts across various military supply sectors, from sustenance and apparel to energy commodities and replacement parts for defense systems.
About Atomic-6
At Atomic-6, we leverage a proprietary manufacturing process that optimizes fiber-to-resin ratios, significantly reduces porosity, and expedites production cycle times. This process is not limited to a single type of fiber or resin; it extends across a broad spectrum of available materials. What sets us apart is our capability to custom-engineer not just the material systems but also the tooling and processing methods, tailored specifically to the multifaceted requirements of the space, aeronautics, hypersonics, and armor industries. By doing so, we can meet the unique and often complex demands of our customers, offering a level of customization that goes beyond typical industry standards.
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