AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has been awarded a $20 million Ceramics Advanced Materials and Processes (CAMP) contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate to advance research in next-generation ceramic and ceramic matrix composite (CMCs) materials for extreme aerospace and defense applications supporting the U.S. Air and Space Forces.
Under the 39-month contract, AeroVironment will collaborate with AFRL scientists and engineers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to advance material development and manufacturing approaches aimed at improving performance in high-temperature and extreme-environment conditions. The effort includes the use of additive manufacturing, three-dimensional 3D printing, and sensor integration to develop lightweight, thermally resilient structures for applications such as high-speed flight systems, propulsion systems, thermal protection tiles, and related aerospace components.
“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.”
Research conducted under the CAMP program will advance next-generation ceramics through precursor synthesis and processing, novel fabrication and design methods, microstructural characterization, and advanced modeling to better predict performance and durability. It will also explore multifunctional ceramics with embedded sensing capabilities for real-time structural health monitoring across aerospace, space, energy, and defense applications.
“Collaborations with our customers are at the heart of what we do,” stated 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.”
