GA-ASI invests in Arceon CMC for aerospace, defense innovations

Source | General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

Unmanned aircraft systems and related mission systems company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI, Poway, Calif., U.S.) has announced the investment in another Dutch business, Arceon (Delft, Netherlands), following the inaugural Blue Magic Netherlands (BMN) event in November 2024. 

GA-ASI selected Arceon following a compelling pitch the company made during the BMN event, and after detailed business and technology discussions with GA-ASI and GA’s affiliates, General Atomics Energy and General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems. Arceon joins Emergent Swarm Solutions and Saluqi Motors, companies also receiving investment from GA-ASI.

Arceon is optimizing high-performance ceramic composites through its fast, scalable and cost-effective melt infiltration process. Its Carbeon carbon-ceramic components — engineered for applications such as nozzles, nozzle extensions, leading edges, nose caps and airframes — are tailored to meet the increasing and rigorous demands of the space and defense sectors .

“We are honored to collaborate with General Atomics in advancing hypersonic development,” says Rahul Shirke, founder and CEO of Arceon. “This milestone marks our official entry into the U.S. defense sector, presenting an opportunity to demonstrate our technology on a global stage.”

According to Brad Lunn, managing director for GA-ASI, Arceon’s composite material technologies could have a broad range of applications for GA, from high-temperature engine exhaust materials to hypersonics and fusion containment.