ARM Institute Secures $87.6M Partnership With Air Force Research Lab to Advance Dual-Use Robotics

The ARM Institute has signed a new five-year cooperative agreement with the Air Force Research Laboratory, worth up to $87.66 million in federal funding and cost-sharing. The partnership will drive research, testing, and evaluation of dual-use robotics and automation technologies for Air Force needs.

CEO Jorgen Pedersen called the agreement a significant vote of confidence in the institute’s impact across defense and industry.

With more than 450 members, the Pittsburgh-based consortium will coordinate project calls connecting Air Force organizations with industry, academia, and technology developers. Work will span agility, robotic mobility, human–robot teaming, process modeling, visualization, rapid commissioning, and manufacturing informatics.

AFRL, which leads scientific and technological development for U.S. air, space, and cyber forces, will collaborate closely with ARM to accelerate new capabilities and strengthen the defense industrial base.