The Missile Defense Agency Awards Additive Innovations an STTR Phase I Award for 3D Printed Silicon Carbide for High Energy Laser Directed Energy Systems

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 7, 2025 – Additive Innovations LLC (“Additive Innovations”) has been awarded an STTR Phase I award by the Missile Defense Agency (“MDA”) to further develop 3D printed silicon carbide (“SiC”) optical components for high energy laser (“HEL”) directed energy systems. Additive Innovations intends to leverage its substantial experience and captively developed binder jetting process technology to deliver high grade SiC optical components to MDA as part of this arrangement. HEL systems have become critical technologies in both space and terrestrial defense systems, each requiring the use of SiC in certain of its components due to its unique material properties including its light weight and high heat strength. Additive Innovations was selected in large part due to its experience in delivering printed SiC components under various prior awards with the Department of Defense and other agencies within the United States Government.