Divergent Technologies and CoAspire Revolutionize Cruise Missile Production with Rapid Adaptable System
Divergent Technologies and CoAspire's Innovative Collaboration
In a landmark achievement, Divergent Technologies, Inc. and CoAspire, LLC, have successfully designed, developed, produced, and flight-tested the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM). This partnership has set a new precedent in the defense industry, demonstrating the capability to move from concept to flight within an astonishing timeframe of just 16 weeks.
Accelerated Development Timeline
The evolution of the RAACM began with a comprehensive program roadmap established by CoAspire, in collaboration with Divergent. The ambitious target required Divergent to deliver the first fuselages, wings, and fins within a remarkable span of 10 weeks. The community of experts then integrated test rounds ready for ground testing just four weeks later. This rigorous timeline culminated in a successful flight test that met all customer requirements.
Divergent's innovative approach involved the use of advanced digital tools and techniques that allowed for the rapid convergence on a design that was both cost-effective and optimized for critical criteria such as fuel tank capacity and structural performance.
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques
One of the key factors in this rapid development was Divergent's Adaptive Production System (DAPS™), an end-to-end engineering design and manufacturing system. This system leverages artificial intelligence-driven design, industrial-grade additive manufacturing, and universal robotic assembly to facilitate the rapid and efficient production of complex structures. By dynamically generating manufacturing instructions directly from designs, DAPS™ streamlines the transition from digital design to physical production.
Lukas Czinger, the President and CEO of Divergent, emphasized the company's strength in delivering production-ready hardware within 10 weeks through this next-generation capability. "RAACM serves as a prime example of the potential that can be unlocked when adaptability is integrated into every phase of development," Czinger stated.
Remarks from Leadership
Doug Denneny, CEO of CoAspire, praised Divergent's role in redefining the standards for development speed in complex flight vehicles. He noted, "The flexibility that Divergent has provided within a tight deadline was crucial for the success of our flight tests and overall program."
The RAACM, designed under a contract with the U.S. Air Force, boasts modularity, scalability, and adaptability. Its notable features include a deployable wing, turbojet engine, sophisticated guidance system, and a lethal payload. Importantly, it can be launched from any aircraft that is compatible with the existing GBU-38 systems, thus enhancing its versatility across various operational environments.
A Strong Supply Chain
CoAspire, based in Fairfax, Virginia, benefits from a robust supply chain that encompasses 26 states across the U.S. and extends into two European nations. This extensive network further bolsters the efficiency and effectiveness of the missile's production and deployment.
Divergent Technologies has established itself as a pioneer in industrial digital manufacturing through its DAPS™ system. This innovative system allows for the design, additive manufacturing, and automatic assembly of sophisticated structures that are pivotal for automotive, aerospace, and defense applications. By optimizing the production processes, Divergent significantly enhances the speed, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of defense vehicle manufacturing — a transformation that profoundly impacts the industry.
As both companies continue to push boundaries in defense capabilities, their partnership signals a significant evolution in how military systems can be rapidly developed and deployed. The RAACM exemplifies the future of defense technology, showcasing a commitment to innovation and adaptability that promises to revolutionize aerial warfare and beyond.