WASHINGTON—The Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced the award of $3.7 million via the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program to Qarbon Aerospace to design and manufacture advanced lightweight continuous fiber thermoplastic composite structures for national defense aviation applications.
The award will help Qarbon Aerospace focus on the design, development, and manufacture of a thermoplastic composite structure for defense aviation components requiring icing protection, the DoD said in a release.
The use of composites eliminates the loss of efficiency typically associated with conventional “bleed-air” systems and provides significant flexibility when optimizing the assembly for different components or aircraft. It also offers improved manufacturing, durability, reliability, and ease of repair, according to the release.
“The establishment of robust and resilient supply chains is a critical element of DoD’s strategic approach to creating a modernized industrial ecosystem,” said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, in the release. “This award represents another vital step by the Department to strengthen advanced capabilities by continuing to pursue novel processes that will ensure the U.S. remains a leader in manufacturing technologies.”
As of the date of the announcement (November 27, 2023), the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office, which manages the IBAS program, was reported to have made awards totaling nearly $700 million.