AV Awarded $20 Million Contract to Advance Ceramic Materials Research for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force

AV and AFRL researchers will develop advanced ceramics, composites, and modeling techniques for extreme aerospace environments

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in defense technology innovation, today announced it 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 next-generation ceramic and ceramic matrix composite materials (CMCs) for extreme aerospace and defense applications supporting the U.S. Air and Space Forces.

Under the 39-month contract, AV’s materials experts will partner with AFRL scientists and engineers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to accelerate development, field advanced capabilities faster, and strengthen mission readiness while reducing lifecycle costs. The team will apply advanced additive manufacturing, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and sensor integration techniques to create lightweight, thermally resilient structures—such as high speed aerodynamic vehicles, turbine engines, rocket propulsion systems, transparent armor, thermal-protection tiles, and nozzle extensions—designed to perform in the most extreme 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.”

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. The effort will span the full lifecycle of material innovation, integrating embedded sensors for real-time health monitoring and developing multifunctional ceramics for aerospace, space, energy, and defense applications—from satellite propulsion and helicopter armor to ultra-efficient energy systems and advanced sensors.

“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.”

About AV

AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

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