Anduril Secures $85 Million Air Force Contract for Aerospace Design Research

Anduril Industries has secured an $85 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to conduct research into advanced aerospace system design. The award positions the defense technology company to play a key role in developing next-generation design methodologies for the military over the next decade.

Details of the Award

The contract is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) agreement, providing a framework for future work orders up to the maximum value. The work, which will take place in Dayton, Ohio, is expected to be completed by September 17, 2036.

The contract was awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, following a competitive bidding process that attracted eight offers, according to the announcement.

Scope of the Research

The project, officially named Digital System-Level Mission-Driven Integrated Design Methods for Aerospace Systems (VOLARE), will focus on creating new approaches to designing complex aerospace platforms. Key areas of research will include:

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• Development of vehicle system design products.
• Creation of advanced thermal management system design methods.

This research is critical for engineering more capable and resilient aircraft and space systems for future defense applications.

Financial Terms

While the contract has a ceiling of $85 million, no funds were obligated on the basic agreement at the time of the award. The first task order issued under the contract provided an initial $50,000 in funding from fiscal 2026 research and development funds.

This funding structure is typical for ID/IQ contracts, allowing the government to allocate funds incrementally as specific research tasks are defined and ordered over the life of the contract.