HR001121C0043 High Enthalpy Aperture Technology (HEAT)

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded HRL Laboratories, LLC a contract valued at $3,884,489.00 under solicitation HR001120S0038 for the High Enthalpy Aperture Technology project, identified by contract number HR001121C0043. This award, posted on May 1, 2026, supports advanced research in high-enthalpy systems, targeting the development of technologies capable of withstanding extreme thermal and aerodynamic environments, with the work falling under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract is managed by the Department of Defense through its DARPA office located in Arlington, Virginia, with Shane C Lomelin listed as the primary point of contact. Although the place of performance is not specified, the project involves cutting-edge engineering and materials science to advance aperture systems operating under high-energy conditions. The effort aligns with DARPA’s mission to foster revolutionary technologies for national security, with no set-aside provisions indicated. The award reflects a strategic investment in next-generation capabilities that could impact hypersonic systems, re-entry vehicles, or other high-speed platforms requiring durable thermal management solutions. Funding and technical oversight will be directed from DARPA’s headquarters, with deliverables expected to contribute to future defense applications requiring extreme environmental resilience.