AeroVironment said on May 28, 2026 that it has been awarded a $20 million Ceramics Advanced Materials and Processes (CAMP) contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate to develop next-generation ceramic and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials for the Air and Space Forces.
39 months at Wright-Patterson
Under the 39-month CAMP agreement, AeroVironment's materials specialists will work with AFRL scientists and engineers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. The team plans to apply advanced additive manufacturing, 3D printing and sensor integration techniques to create lightweight, thermally resilient structures intended for the most extreme aerospace and defense environments.
From hypersonics to transparent armor
The company said the research will target high-speed aerodynamic vehicles, turbine engines, rocket propulsion systems, transparent armor, thermal-protection tiles and nozzle extensions—components that must survive temperatures and stresses far beyond what conventional metals can handle. The work spans the full lifecycle of material innovation, from precursor synthesis and novel fabrication methods to microstructural characterization and advanced modeling that predicts long-term performance and durability. The push lines up with momentum behind ultra-high-speed flight programs such as Hermeus's Quarterhorse Mach 1.21 supersonic test.
Embedded sensors for real-time health monitoring
CAMP will also integrate embedded sensors into multifunctional ceramics for real-time structural health monitoring, with applications spanning satellite propulsion, helicopter armor, ultra-efficient energy systems and advanced sensors. "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," said Johnathan Jones, AeroVironment's senior vice president of cyber and mission solutions.
Materials for the future of flight and space
Dr. John Hogan, vice president of defense and interagency service at AeroVironment, said the program is about more than improving existing parts. "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," he said. The work could feed into emerging space platforms such as the European satellite supply chain being built by Schaeffler and Spire and lunar hardware including Redwire's MANUS lunar robotic arm.
Part of a wider defense push
The CAMP award comes as AeroVironment widens its portfolio of high-end defense technology, including loitering munitions, counter-UAS systems, directed-energy weapons and the AV_Halo AI software suite. It follows a string of recent wins for the company, and arrives as the Pentagon accelerates investment in advanced materials and autonomy alongside contracts such as Perennial Autonomy's $500 million counter-drone IDIQ.
Reporting based on coverage from AeroVironment via BusinessWire and StockTitan.