Continuous Composites Wins Sikorsky-Hosted Aerospace Tech Dev’t Challenge

Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky subsidiary has named Continuous Composites winner of the ninth Entrepeneurial Challenge for developing a 3D printing technology designed to manufacture carbon fiber components.

Continuous Composites works to advance its Continuous Fiber 3D platform to facilitate production of composite materials with embedded microstructures for potential aerospace and defense applications, Lockheed said Monday.

Sikorsky's innovations group hosted the competition to encourage and accelerate advancements in disruptive technology for industry use.

“This year we received the most first round applications ever,” said Chris Van Buiten, vice president of Sikorsky Innovations. “We are thrilled to continue to work with a variety of entrepreneurs and small businesses to explore new technology and concepts.”

Vita Inclinata and Ubisense received special recognition awards for pitching an autonomous suspended load management system and industrial operations visibility platform, respectively.

Magnetic 3D, Vartega and Climacell were selected as honorable mention awardees.