Machina Labs Strengthens Partnership with U.S. Department of Defense to Advance Aircraft Sustainment
U.S. Air Force Purchases Second RoboCraftsman Platform to Accelerate Fleet Readiness
LOS ANGELES, CA – Machina Labs, a leader in advanced manufacturing that integrates AI and robotics for the rapid production of metal components, announced today that it has been awarded a new contract for its RoboCraftsman™ platform by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO). This award integrates Machina Labs’ portable, AI-driven manufacturing solution into the Air Force’s sustainment strategy, accelerating the qualification and production of critical aircraft components where and when they are needed most. Machina Labs has now secured $14 million in defense contract awards, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in modernizing military manufacturing and sustainment infrastructure.
The RoboCraftsman is a rapidly deployable manufacturing platform designed to enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to produce sheet metal parts on demand. The platform includes Machina Labs’ proprietary RoboForming™ technology, along with scanning, trimming, and drilling functions. It will be deployed to the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) as part of a collaborative effort with the Air Force RSO to train, identify and qualify replacement parts for multiple aircraft, accelerating repair timelines and addressing the DoD’s need for high-mix, low-volume sheet metal part production.
"When an aircraft is grounded waiting for a replacement part, it’s not just a logistics issue – it’s a readiness issue," said Edward Mehr, CEO and Co-Founder of Machina Labs. "At Machina Labs, we’re enabling the U.S. military to manufacture mission-critical parts on demand, as close to the point of need as possible. This contract demonstrates the DoD’s confidence in our technology and its commitment to advancing agile, AI-driven manufacturing across sustainment operations."
Delivering Results for Defense Readiness
Machina Labs’ RoboCraftsman eliminates the need for traditional dies and expensive physical tooling, allowing for the rapid production of complex sheet metal parts. This capability helps address significant delays and cost challenges faced by USAF depots in sourcing or manufacturing critical components.
Equipped with two 7-axis robotic arms, a tool-changing system, and AI-driven process controls, the RoboCraftsman can form sheet metal parts from a wide range of materials, including steels, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and nickel-based superalloys. Its compact, modular design allows for deployment in less than a day, enabling on-site manufacturing at military depots or in forward-deployed locations. This flexibility ensures that critical replacement parts can be produced as needed, reducing reliance on long supply chains and minimizing downtime for mission-critical aircraft.
A Strategic Partnership for Sustainment Innovation
The partnership with UDRI demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to leveraging industry and academia to advance sustainment innovation. As a leading research organization with expertise in aircraft repair and sustainment, UDRI will work alongside Machina Labs and the Air Force RSO to qualify parts and further refine the RoboForming process for defense applications.
About Machina Labs
Machina Labs is unlocking manufacturing with AI and robotics, delivering flexible, on-demand production solutions that eliminate traditional tooling constraints. The company’s RoboCraftsman platform integrates advanced robotics and AI-driven process controls to rapidly manufacture complex metal parts and structures for aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial applications. Founded in Los Angeles in 2019, Machina Labs is building the next generation of intelligent, adaptive, and software-driven factories.
About the U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office
The Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO), a Division of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Combat Readiness Directorate, accelerates game-changing capabilities that sustain a modern Air Force. By exploiting new and emerging technologies, the RSO delivers sustainment and maintenance solutions at the speed of need to maximize warfighter readiness.
About the University of Dayton Research Institute
The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) is a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry, and nonprofit organizations. UDRI specializes in advanced materials, aerospace systems, energy, sensors, and mechanical structures, delivering innovative solutions that enhance mission readiness and operational efficiency. As part of the University of Dayton, UDRI integrates education, research, and public service to drive technological advancements.
###
