Albany Engineered Composites wins $21.2M IBAS contract to advance technology

Albany Engineered Composites, a division of Albany International Corp., has secured a $21.2 million contract over 30 months through the U.S. government's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. The contract, managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island and Cornerstone Other Transaction Authority, focuses on developing carbon-carbon composite thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles and solid rocket motors.

The initiative aims to enhance scalable manufacturing capabilities for defense applications requiring extreme-environment materials. Albany will utilize its expertise in advanced composite manufacturing, including 3D-woven, near-net-shape preforms and Resin Transfer Molding, alongside carbon-carbon densification techniques.

Chris Stone, president of Albany Engineered Composites, highlighted the importance of this project in addressing the manufacturing demands of hypersonic systems and solid rocket motors. The program will establish a vertically integrated production facility for carbon-carbon composites, bolstering domestic industrial capacity for cost-effective thermal protection solutions.

Brent Stevenson, vice president of emerging markets & technology at Albany Engineered Composites, emphasized the company's experience in 3D-woven composites and RTM as a foundation for scalable manufacturing solutions. The program includes engineering studies, facility planning, and the development of infrastructure to support carbon-carbon composite production.

This effort strengthens Albany's capabilities in extreme-environment applications, combining advanced materials technology with manufacturing infrastructure. It supports the U.S. industrial base by establishing the necessary infrastructure for future hypersonic and solid rocket motor production, reinforcing Albany's role in advanced composite solutions for critical aerospace and defense applications.