The US Air Force is moving beyond conventional upgrades, teaming up with AeroVironment (AV) to bring biotechnology and advanced materials into next-gen defense systems.
At the center of the effort is the development of new polymers and responsive materials through innovative processing and modeling techniques.
The goal: improve the effectiveness and durability of air, space, and weapons systems while building on AV’s ongoing work with the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Over the next five years, the company’s UES division will push biologically inspired approaches, flexible electronics, additive smart materials, biomimetic design, and synthetic biology.
This work aims to accelerate adaptive materials that cut lifecycle costs, boost resilience, and maintain the air force’s technological edge.
AI will also play a role, helping speed testing, sustain mission systems, monitor human performance, and transition new technologies into operational use.
Funding the Future
The work follows a recent $75-million US Air Force contract under the Functional Responsive Experimentation for Systems and Humans (FRESH) program.
It is part of the research award titled “Biotechnology and Biomaterials and Polymers and Responsive Materials, Research, Development, and Exploration.”
Johnathan Jones, AV senior vice president of cyber and mission solutions, said the award reflects the air force’s confidence in the company to advance scientific research for national defense.
“Our collaboration continues to demonstrate how applied innovation in biotechnology and materials science can directly enhance operational capability, extend system lifecycles, and safeguard those who serve,” he stated.
