Firehawk Aerospace awarded $1.25 million AFWERX contract

Firehawk Aerospace, a developer and manufacturer of advanced energetics systems for defense applications, has been selected by AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), for a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award. The contract, valued at $1.25 million, is accelerating the company’s development of next-generation, shelf-stable propellant solutions and is enhancing its capabilities for critical national defense applications.

“Our team is excited to further demonstrate the superior performance, scalability, and affordability of our propellant solutions for air-to-air weapon systems,” said Mike Stark, President of Firehawk Aerospace.

Under this Phase II SBIR, Firehawk is conducting a comprehensive study of its additive manufacturing approach to solid propellants, encompassing propellant formulation testing, subscale motor validation, full-scale static-fire demonstrations, lifecycle cost assessments, and performance evaluations.

Firehawk is developing and delivering advanced energetic systems that deliver safer, more reliable, and scalable propellant solutions for the US government. When paired with AM and innovative production techniques, Firehawk is reshaping how solid rocket motors are designed, built, and fielded. Put simply, these technologies directly support force sustainment by reducing the logistical footprint of propulsion systems, enabling long-term storage and containerization, and quick activation in contested or remote environments, ensuring a resilient, domestically controlled supply of critical energetics.

AFWERX plays a pivotal role in identifying and supporting cutting-edge technologies that can address the most urgent challenges faced by the US military. Through its SBIR program, AFWERX bridges the gap between small businesses and defense needs, ensuring a robust and diverse industrial base.