ARM Institute Launches Call for Innovation in Defense Manufacturing Technologies

The Project Call 27-01 is currently seeking out advanced technologies that can enhance U.S. defense manufacturing capabilities. This initiative was announced by the ARM Institute.

Robotics is recognized as a critical factor in driving both economic competitiveness and U.S. geopolitical security. In response, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing, or ARM, Institute recently launched a project call aimed at identifying technologies that can meet the specific needs of defense sectors such as metalworking, drone development, ammunition production, and shipbuilding.

Proposals submitted under Project Call 27-01 must demonstrate the potential to deliver significant benefits to the U.S. Department of War. They should also include a well-structured transition plan that outlines how the technology can be integrated into the DoW’s commercial industrial base or organic industrial base, along with any relevant supply chain components.

The ARM Institute indicates a preference for technologies that have dual-use applications, as these can support the broader U.S. manufacturing sector in addition to serving military purposes.

“Technologies with strong prospects for successful commercialization are highly sought after, as they help reduce costs and acquisition challenges for the DoW,” the institute states. “It is also preferred that transition plans include representation from DoW and/or CIB government program stakeholders on the project team.”

U.S. military seeks accelerated production capabilities

According to the ARM Institute, all proposals must be focused on defense applications, fall within Technology Readiness Levels 4 to 7, and include a final demonstration in an environment that mirrors real-world production conditions. The institute also recommends including government program office or program-of-record stakeholders in submissions where feasible.

The ARM Institute and the U.S. Department of War have specified that each proposal must address one of the following key defense application areas:

• High-mix, low-volume castings and forgings
• Submarines and high-priority surface naval vessels
• Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and collaborative combat aircraft (CCA)
• Munitions, missiles, and hypersonic weapons
• Rapid and flexible expansion of defense production capabilities
• Agile production of systems that are constantly evolving
• Other DoW-approved high-priority programs

The Pittsburgh-based ARM Institute has also outlined the technical topics relevant to this project call. Proposals are welcome to focus on one or more of the following development goals:

• Multi-modal inputs for AI robotics in manufacturing
• Rapid re-tasking and enhanced robot agility
• Multi-robot and multi-human collaboration with supervised autonomy
• Adaptive real-time path planning and control
• Mobile robotics applications

Project timeline provided by ARM Institute

Although the project call is open to all interested parties, concept papers must be submitted through the ARM Member Community by September 16, 2026. The institute serves as a platform that connects its more than 500 members, enabling them to collaborate and contribute to advancements in manufacturing. An informational webinar will be held on August 19 to provide further details.

Invitations for the presentation phase are expected to be sent around October 13, with submissions for presentations and supporting materials due on December 2. The presentation sessions themselves will take place around December 9, followed by the announcement of selected projects on December 11.

Subaward execution must be completed by February 1, 2027, which marks the start date for the approved projects. The deadline for project team subcontract execution is March 15, while the overall project performance period will conclude on January 31, 2028.

The ARM Institute aims to create a “platform for collaboration and innovation” that encourages community efforts to develop solutions that might otherwise be hindered by a lack of funding or technical challenges.

By uniting industry, academia, and government entities, the ARM Institute works to make robotics and AI more accessible to manufacturers of all sizes across the United States. Its efforts help strengthen workforce capabilities, enhance global competitiveness, and improve national resilience. The institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of War under Agreement No. W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA network.