Atlanta, GA (June 18, 2024) – Atomic-6 announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1,245,030 focused on Novel Manufacturing and Materials of High-Temperature Composite Radomes for Hypersonic Aircraft to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on May 23, 2024, Atomic-6 has started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“Our selection for the SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract with AFWERX highlights Atomic-6’s innovative capabilities and commitment to advancing national defense. In collaboration with Hermeus, we are developing novel manufacturing processes and materials for high-temperature composite radomes for hypersonic aircraft. This partnership demonstrates early commercial support for our technology, underscoring its potential impact. We're honored to contribute to the safety and efficiency of the Department of the Air Force's operations and our Warfighters, positioning Atomic-6 at the forefront of future defense technology,” said Trevor Smith, CEO of Atomic-6.
“The extreme conditions of hypersonic flight require novel, specialized materials which Hermeus relentlessly seeks out,” said Glenn Case, Co-Founder and Chief Technologist at Hermeus. “We’ve been impressed with Atomic-6’s high strength-to-weight composites and are excited to collaborate with them in advancing this technology for use on hypersonic aircraft. Their previous success in creating carbon-phenolic panels for similar high-stress scenarios affirms their proficiency in tailoring advanced materials and manufacturing processes.”
As Atomic-6 undertakes this new project to establish new standards in the defense sector, the company invites potential partners and end-users to explore how its innovative solutions in advanced materials and technologies can meet their needs and drive advancements in their operations.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
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 aerospace, 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.
About Hermeus
Hermeus is an aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate air travel by delivering hypersonic aircraft. The company aims to develop hypersonic aircraft quickly and cost-effectively by integrating hardware-rich, iterative development with modern computing and autonomy. This approach has been validated through design, build, and test of the company’s first combined turbojet-ramjet engine and is now being scaled through its first flight vehicle program, Quarterhorse. Hermeus is also developing Darkhorse — an uncrewed hypersonic aircraft designed to deliver unique asymmetric capabilities to the warfighter.
About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,100 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.
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Atomic-6, Inc.
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