US autonomous 3D micro-factories producer Solideon, has been awarded a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract from AFWERX, valued at $1.25 million. The contract will support the development of a single pallet additive manufacturing cell, designed to fabricate critical systems in expeditionary environments, helping address key operational needs of the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF).
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Solideon’s project officially launched on May 21, 2025, marking the start of a new effort to deliver flexible, mission-ready manufacturing solutions supporting U.S. national defense.
“The future of industrial power isn’t centralized — it’s deployable. This award is a signal that the Department of the Air Force is ready to break from the past and lead with agility. With this contract, we’re building the foundation for a world where manufacturing happens not in factories but wherever the mission demands — from airbases to shipyards and, eventually, orbit,” said Oluseun Taiwo, CEO, Solideon.
This award is part of a broader initiative by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX to modernize and expedite the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Since launching its Open Topic program in 2018, the DAF has worked to streamline proposal timelines, broaden access for small businesses, and remove bureaucratic barriers to innovation.
Recent AFWERX Awards Supporting Defense Innovation
In April, Firehawk Aerospace, a manufacturer of advanced energetic systems for defense applications, announced it has been awarded a US$1.25 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by AFWERX. The funding will advance Firehawk’s work on next-generation shelf-stable propellant technologies to support national defense initiatives.
In 2024, AFWERX awarded Kansas City-based startup Raven Space Systems a US$1.8 million Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract to develop 3D printed reentry aeroshells for hypersonic flight testing. Raven Space Systems is collaborating with SpaceWorks Enterprises and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Center for Hypersonics and Entry System Studies (CHESS) on the project.
Similarly, AscendArc secured a US$1.8 million Phase II STTR contract to advance its Rapid, Scalable Geosynchronous Bandwidth technology. In partnership with Portland State University, AscendArc aims to enhance secure, resilient military communications to address critical U.S. Department of Defense operational needs
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Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?
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Featured image shows Solideon facilities. Photo via Solideon.
