The Defense Department (DOD) announced it has awarded Qarbon Aerospace $3.7 million for the design and production of advanced composites for military aviation applications.
The Red Oak, Texas-based company manufactures medium to large complex composite components and assemblies.
The deal—made through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program—will assist the company in the design and development of a continuous fiber thermoplastic composite structure for components requiring icing protection, DOD said Monday.
“The use of composites eliminates the loss of efficiency typically associated with conventional ‘bleed-air’ systems and provides significant flexibility when optimizing the assembly for different components or aircraft, and offers improved manufacturing, durability, reliability, and ease of repair,” DOD said.
In June, Qarbon Aerospace announced a partnership with Supernal LLC for the assembly of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft under development.
The contract “represents a vital step” by DOD to pursue novel processes that bolster U.S. leadership in manufacturing technologies, according to Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy.
“The establishment of robust and resilient supply chains is a critical element of DOD’s strategic approach to creating a modernized industrial ecosystem,” Taylor-Kale said.
