08.28.23
ERA / Erickson Motors Wins AFWERX SBIR Direct-to-Phase II Contract
Jeff Erickson, PMP, Principal Investigator, Engine Research Associates, Inc. and Erickson Motors
August 28, 2023, Fort Wayne, Indiana – Engine Research Associates, Inc. (ERA) announces it has been selected by AFWERX for an SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1,237,149. It is focused on quiet Erickson MCC engine propulsion for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) 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. Now on August 21, 2023, ERA started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“ERA is honored to be selected for this SBIR contract. It enables us to complete research and development that advances technology to benefit our service members and the commercial drone industry” said Jeff Erickson, Principal Investigator, Engine Research Associates/Erickson Motors.
“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 ERA – ERA invented and developed the Erickson Migrating Combustion Chamber (MCC) engine. ERA focuses on government research and development programs for MCC engine technology. Erickson Motors is the commercial division of ERA and focuses on manufacturing and sales. Erickson MCC engines are internal combustion engines that are ultra-quiet. MCC engines can provide sUAS and drones with improved efficiency, increased weight capacity, longer flight times, faster cruise speeds, and extended life over Lithium-ion batteries. MCC engine propulsion systems are also as quiet as electric UAS/drones. For more information, visit: www.ericksonmotors.com.
About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) – Sole organization leading the planning and execution of U.S. Air Force & U.S. Space Force science & technology programs. Orchestrates a worldwide government, industry & academia coalition in the discovery, development & delivery of a wide range of revolutionary technology. Provides leading-edge warfighting capabilities keeping air, space, and cyberspace forces the world’s best. Employs 10,800 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at 17 research sites executing an annual $4B budget. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX – The innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within AFRL. Brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Employs approximately 215 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4B budget. Since 2019, has executed 4,671 contracts worth more than $2B to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.
Media Contact: Jeff Erickson, PMP, Principal Investigator, jeff.erickson@ericksonmotors.com
# # #
