Target Arm Secures Key Air Force Contract to Revolutionize Autonomous Drone Operations

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. - Jan. 15, 2025 - PRLog -- Target Arm Inc. announces it has been selected by AFWERX for an SBIR Phase I contract in the amount of $75,000 focused on Ralar to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now as of January 13^th, Target Arm started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Target Arm CEO and Founder Jeffrey McChesney shared his excitement about the pivotal opportunity, stating, "This is a transformative moment as we introduce Ralar, our newest innovation, to the Air Force, addressing some of its most pressing challenges. With Ralar and its sister product, Tular, we're unlocking unprecedented capabilities for our warfighters, enabling autonomous launch and recovery of drones while on the move. In the wake of the rapid escalation in drone usage seen in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, our technology is poised to redefine mission execution—enhancing airbase protection, counter-drone defense, and flexible defense-in-depth strategies. We're even enabling hands-free swarm drone operations. These breakthroughs are designed to ensure our forces maintain a decisive edge on the battlefield." The announcement underscores Target Arm's commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower the Air Force to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

About Target Arm Inc.
Target Arm is at the forefront of AI-powered drone launch and recovery systems, redefining what's possible for on-the-move operations. Combining advanced robotics with precision localization and cutting-edge AI software, the company offers groundbreaking solutions for both military and commercial markets. As a recognized innovator and graduate of the Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars and Endless Frontier Labs, Target Arm continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in autonomous mobility. In 2020, Target Arm was named a "Most Fundable Company" by Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, distinguishing it from over 4,500 competitors. Visit https://www.targetarm.com.

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit https://www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,200 new contracts worth more than $4.7 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit https://www.afwerx.com.