Machina Labs, a California-based advanced manufacturing company combining AI and robotics, has secured a contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in partnership with the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. The multi-year agreement aims to expand Machina Labs’ flagship RoboCraftsman platform with advanced AI and machine learning capabilities designed to meet the Department of Defense’s sustainment modernization needs.
The initial phase of the program will focus on automating tool path generation for airframe skins and panels—critical components for maintaining fleet readiness. Airframes represent a significant sustainment challenge for the U.S. Air Force, as long delays in sourcing qualified parts have historically grounded aircraft and limited operational availability. By leveraging RoboCraftsman’s AI-driven approach, the program seeks to streamline production, reduce delays, and improve mission readiness.
“This award underscores RoboCraftsman’s role in the DoD’s sustainment modernization strategy,” said Edward Mehr, CEO and Co-Founder of Machina Labs. “Our mission is to deliver a portable manufacturing solution that can operate closer to the point of need, even in contested logistics environments.”
The broader vision extends beyond aircraft maintenance. RoboCraftsman is being developed as a flexible, deployable manufacturing system capable of producing structural components for a range of defense platforms, including missiles, vehicles, and weapon systems. For the Department of Defense, these capabilities are expected to reduce Mission Impaired Capability Awaiting Parts (MICAP) ratios, shorten production timelines, and enhance the availability of critical assets.
Beyond defense, Machina Labs sees the award as reinforcing its strategy to scale AI-driven, software-defined manufacturing solutions across aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.
