IERUS Technologies Won $10.7M F-35 Probe Contract
Defense manufacturers should monitor how Small Business Innovation Research projects transition to full-scale production.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Manufacturing
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IERUS Technologies has secured a $10.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to produce 190 electromagnetic nondestructive assessment probes for the F-35 program. This award transitions the specialized technology from research and development into full-scale production.
Why it matters
The contract highlights the path for small businesses to scale proprietary technology through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III program. It demonstrates how federal agencies prioritize established research partnerships to meet critical component needs.
The firm-fixed-price contract is valued at $10,712,914 and covers the production of 190 Compact Electromagnetic Nondestructive Assessment probes. The entire project is funded through Foreign Military Sales customer obligations.
The players
IERUS Technologies
A Huntsville-based defense contractor specializing in research, engineering, and the development of advanced electromagnetic systems.
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
The federal contracting activity responsible for managing research, development, and engineering for naval aviation platforms.
The details
The probes utilize nondestructive electromagnetic assessment to evaluate F-35 materials and components. This contract was awarded without competition under the SBIR program, allowing the agency to move directly from previous research phases into a manufacturing agreement. Work is slated to occur in Fort Worth, Texas, under the oversight of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: Contract award was officially announced.
January 2027: Completion of all contract production work is expected.
Market Landscape
This deal underscores the effectiveness of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program in bridging the gap between niche R&D and defense manufacturing requirements. It follows an established industry trend where specialized contractors capture long-term production phases after completing pilot-level validation.
Operators in the defense sector should evaluate their own research pipelines to identify potential candidates for SBIR Phase III transitions. Companies should monitor the Naval Air Warfare Center for similar sole-source contract opportunities involving proprietary testing technologies.
The takeaway
The successful transition of research into full-scale production represents a major milestone for firms leveraging the SBIR program. Business owners should maintain rigorous documentation of their R&D validation efforts to qualify for sole-source transition contracts.
Further reading
Explore deeper insights into industry-specific production trends in our Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 256 Today.
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