Aurora Labs (A3D), an industrial 3D printing technology company, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ares Armaments Australia to advance R&D initiatives across design and rapid production techniques using exotic metals in small-arms ammunition and armaments.
Ares Armaments is an Australian sovereign defence manufacturer specialising in made-to-order, industrialized hand-loaded precision ammunition with a specific focus on ballistically matched natures for defence and law enforcement agencies. The group has an established presence and customer network across Australia and operates advanced R&D and testing facilities in South Australia, with ISO 9001 accreditation.
Under the non-binding terms, A3D and Ares will collaborate to accelerate R&D into the use of exotic metals in small-arms ammunition and armaments. Initial focus will be on how alloys and A3D’s advanced metal processing capabilities can be used to produce lighter, stronger, more consistent, and cost-effective components that improve performance while adhering to strict safety and regulatory standards required by potential customers.
While initial projects will focus on select small components, both parties recognise the potential for significant scalability. Small-arms programs typically require large production volumes, providing A3D with an opportunity to potentially deploy its technology in a high-throughput manufacturing setting with substantial future commercial potential.
Initial exploratory work has commenced with information sharing between the two parties, while prototyping, first production, and testing are anticipated in Q1 CY26. Testing will then be undertaken at Ares’ South Australian facilities prior to engagement with the group’s customer network across the defence industry.
Beyond technical collaboration, the partnership will also seek to engage with government and defense stakeholders to build industry awareness and support, showcasing Australia’s growing capability in advanced manufacturing and defence technology.
The agreement marks A3D’s expansion in the sovereign defence sector and reiterates the applicability of the company’s high-performance metal additive manufacturing technology in the development of smaller, complex, and high-volume components, building on A3D’s previous research printing work with the Department of Defence for advanced 3D printed metal components of exotic materials.
“This collaboration represents an existing expansion for the company and will allow us to apply our extensive manufacturing expertise to a high-volume, strategically important sector to further demonstrate the versatility of our technology in real-world applications,” said Rebeka Letheby, Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Labs. “Working alongside an established and respected counterparty such as Ares positives Aurora Labs to capitalize on a new commercial pathway that aligns with the national focus on onshore capability and advanced manufacturing. This partnership underscores the growing relevance of our technology across the defense industry and reinforces the company’s role in delivering innovative, high-performance manufacturing solutions in Australia, which have grown from accepted research and development into product streams .”
