Antenna Research Associates will work to mature the digital resistive film manufacturing process under a Phase IIB contract modification from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
The company said it received $26.7 million Congressional Interest Item, Strategic Funding Increase award and funds from the state of Missouri and will partner with Missouri State University’s Jordan Valley Innovation Center for the effort.
ARA looks to advance the industrial systems to produce various standard and on-demand resistive film products to meet customer needs at production quantities. Accelerating the technology transition is aimed at manufacturing a portfolio of flexible hybrid electronic resistive films for defense and commercial applications.
The company will utilize a digital approach to enable rapid prototyping of standardized and customized films with complex designs and stringent tolerances and to quickly transition from prototype to production demands.
“We are eager to expand our capabilities in the additive manufacturing space,” said Logen Thiran, president and CEO of ARA. “This award recognizes the growing demand for resistive film products, and ARA’s unique approach that delivers a wide range of solutions for both [Department of Defense] and the commercial market.”
SI2 Technologies, a company acquired by ARA in 2022, unveiled in limited quantities and formats VersaR-Print, the first commercial resistive film product. SI2 manufactures scalable and precise Resistive Film products using a Direct Write approach or digital inkjet technology.
