Snowbird Technologies Awarded SBIR Phase I Grant by the United States Special Operations Command

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Aug. 20, 2024 - PRLog -- Snowbird Technologies has been awarded a United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to advance additive manufacturing in deployed environments through the development of a Ruggedized Additive Mobile Manufacturing Unit (RAMMU). The Phase I grant will be used to develop applied research toward an innovative advanced manufacturing capability to produce parts for foreign and non-standard weapons, motor pool parts, and dental accessories.

Modern warfare requires reliable and efficient manufacturing solutions, but traditional supply chains often fail in contested environments, causing parts shortages and mission disruptions. Snowbird Technologies is addressing these challenges by developing innovative additive manufacturing solutions to fill critical gaps in defense logistics and sustainment. The COVID-19 supply chain crisis has highlighted the need for resilient and adaptable manufacturing technologies.

To advance manufacturing sustainability and supply chain resilience for both defense and industrial operations, new technologies must be identified, evaluated, and made available. This Phase I SBIR will result in a comprehensive feasibility study to design a system that produces metal and plastic parts in a compact, ruggedized, transportable, and capable singular package, allowing teams independence and flexibility from the supply chain. This feasibility study will provide the foundation to develop a new ruggedized hybrid manufacturing solution that will meet or exceed the design requirements outlined in the solicitation, addressing all risks, potential payoffs, and the best options to produce a high-performing, ruggedized unit.

All proposals submitted to the SOCOM SBIR program undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. Once a small business is awarded a Phase I grant, it becomes eligible to apply for Phase II funding and additional supplements.

Snowbird Technologies has been at the forefront of innovative, point-of-need advanced manufacturing, releasing the Snowbird Additive Mobile Manufacturing Technology (SAMM Tech) platform in 2023. SAMM Tech is a hybrid manufacturing system – featuring additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities – built into the structure of a 10-foot ISO shipping container. Its design fosters on-demand parts production in expeditionary and contested environments often endured by warfighters and industrial operators in remote settings. Using the knowledge and expertise of a seasoned additive manufacturing engineering and business development team, Snowbird Technologies is confident in producing a realistic and valuable feasibility report for the Phase I grant.

This grant is supported by United States Special Operations Command under Award Number H9240524P0024. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of SOCOM.