Continuous Composites Secures U.S. Army Contract to Advance CF3D Manufacturing

Updated on June 23, 2026 • 3 min read

Continuous Composites has secured a multi-year contract from the U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center to further develop its Continuous Fiber 3D Printing (CF3D) technology for next-generation missile applications.

The project aims to improve the capability, producibility and affordability of advanced composite components while supporting future U.S. defense modernization efforts.

Focus on Precision Strike Missile Applications

The contract will leverage expertise from the U.S. Army’s Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program and involves collaboration with America Makes.

As part of the initiative, Continuous Composites will evaluate how CF3D technology can be integrated into the Precision Strike Missile architecture.

The company will investigate applications including:

• Nose cones
• Control fins
• Leading edges
• Bulkheads
• High-temperature structural components
• Complex load-bearing missile structures

Addressing Manufacturing Challenges

Traditional manufacturing methods often struggle to produce highly complex composite components quickly and cost-effectively.

Continuous Composites believes its CF3D process can overcome these limitations by combining:

• Continuous fiber reinforcement
• Additive manufacturing
• Fiber-steered design optimization
• Advanced high-temperature materials

The technology enables composite structures to be manufactured with greater design freedom while reducing tooling requirements and shortening production timelines.

Supporting Defense Manufacturing Modernization

A key objective of the program is to establish a scalable manufacturing approach capable of supporting both current and future missile platforms.

Defense agencies are increasingly seeking advanced manufacturing technologies that can:

• Reduce production costs
• Accelerate delivery schedules
• Improve supply chain resilience
• Increase system performance
• Lower program risk

CF3D technology is designed to support these goals by producing lightweight, high-strength composite structures directly from digital designs.

Expanding the Role of Additive Composites

The contract highlights growing defense interest in additive composite manufacturing for mission-critical aerospace and missile applications.

Unlike conventional composite fabrication methods, continuous fiber 3D printing allows engineers to place reinforcement precisely where structural loads occur, potentially improving performance while reducing material usage.

The approach is particularly attractive for applications requiring complex geometries, high-temperature resistance and rapid development cycles.

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Outlook

As missile programs continue to prioritize lighter structures, increased range and faster production rates, advanced composite additive manufacturing technologies are expected to play a larger role across defense supply chains.

For Continuous Composites, the U.S. Army contract represents an opportunity to demonstrate how CF3D technology can transition from development programs into scalable defense production, supporting future missile systems while strengthening the U.S. industrial base for advanced composite manufacturing.