Member Spotlight: Stratasys

March 11, 2026

Stratasys provides additive manufacturing solutions that support the development and production of next-generation unmanned systems. Through advanced materials, digital manufacturing workflows, and scalable production technologies, the company helps UxS developers move from rapid prototyping to mission-ready manufacturing across aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

Value of Stratasys’ AUVSI Membership

Stratasys views AUVSI membership as an important connection point within the global unmanned systems community. The association provides opportunities to engage with policymakers, program leaders, and industry partners working across air, land, sea, and space.

“AUVSI membership is highly attractive to Stratasys because it connects us directly with the leading community shaping the future of UxS innovation, safety, and adoption,” says Conrad Smith Director, Global Aerospace, Stratasys.

Participation in the AUVSI ecosystem helps the company stay aligned with evolving industry priorities, including reliability, qualification, sustainment, and modernization. It also supports Stratasys’ broader commitment to advancing mission-ready materials and manufacturing approaches that reduce production risk and accelerate the safe deployment of next-generation unmanned systems across the full lifecycle.

Exciting Industry Developments

Stratasys sees rapid-cycle innovation as one of the most exciting developments shaping the unmanned systems sector. Increasingly agile development models are enabling platforms to be designed, tested, iterated, and deployed far more quickly than in traditional aerospace timelines.

“One of the most exciting developments ahead in the UxS landscape is the acceleration of rapid-cycle innovation,” Smith says. “Unmanned platforms are now being designed, tested, iterated, and deployed in weeks-or even days-rather than years.”

Additive manufacturing plays a central role in this shift by enabling rapid prototyping, frontline replenishment, and highly customized airframe and subsystem designs. As production cycles compress, developers are able to adapt platforms quickly to evolving mission needs.

This accelerated development environment is helping create more modular, mission-flexible unmanned systems capable of evolving alongside operational demands across defense, commercial, and industrial applications.

Industry Challenges

Despite significant progress, Stratasys notes that one of the key challenges facing the industry is increasing awareness of how additive manufacturing can support the entire product lifecycle – from early design through low-rate initial production and full-scale manufacturing.

Many organizations still view additive manufacturing primarily as a prototyping tool rather than as a scalable production capability. In reality, modern additive manufacturing workflows can reduce lead times, mitigate supply chain risks, and address low-volume, high-mix production needs common in aerospace and defense programs.

Improving awareness of these capabilities will help organizations scale more efficiently from concept development to operational deployment while maintaining flexibility in the face of evolving mission requirements and supply chain constraints.

Stratasys’ Role in the Industry’s Future

Stratasys is focused on helping unmanned systems developers transition from rapid experimentation to repeatable, mission-grade production. Through validated materials, reliable production workflows, and digital manufacturing infrastructure, the company enables organizations to move confidently from prototyping into scalable manufacturing environments.

Leadership within the company emphasizes aligning additive manufacturing strategies with the operational realities of industrial production as unmanned systems programs mature and demand higher-volume output.

Through continued collaboration with aerospace and defense partners, Stratasys aims to help accelerate the development, qualification, and deployment of next-generation unmanned platforms while supporting more resilient and adaptable manufacturing pipelines.

Support for High Safety Standards

Maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards is central to Stratasys’ operations. The company’s U.S.-based manufacturing facilities are certified to ISO 9001 and AS9100, reflecting robust quality management systems and adherence to aerospace-grade production requirements.

Stratasys also maintains ITAR registration and implements cybersecurity controls aligned with CMMC Level 2 and NIST 800-171 standards to safeguard sensitive defense-related data and ensure compliance with Department of Defense expectations.

In addition, the company participates in qualification programs such as NIAR and NCAMP and collaborates with leading aerospace organizations to validate materials and manufacturing processes for mission-critical applications. These efforts help ensure additive manufacturing workflows meet the stringent safety, reliability, and regulatory standards required for flight-worthy aerospace components.

For more information, visit https://www.stratasys.com.