# USAF Awards VOLARE Design Contracts

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded two indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts under the VOLARE program in September 2026, each with an $85 million ceiling and a 10-year period of performance through 2036. Leidos and Anduril Industries received these multi-award contracts to develop advanced digital design tools focused on future aircraft system modeling and thermal management. This multi-award strategy enables the Air Force to leverage diverse contractor expertise and provides ongoing task order opportunities for industry participants supporting next-generation aircraft engineering.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the long-term, multi-award IDIQ structure that supports evolving digital design capabilities for aircraft, signaling sustained investment in advanced aerospace engineering tools.
- Contractors specializing in digital modeling, simulation, and thermal management technologies can pursue task orders under these contracts, presenting multiple entry points for business development.
- The awards reflect the Air Force's commitment to modernizing aircraft design processes, emphasizing digital innovation and system integration, which may influence future aerospace procurement priorities.
- Organizations should consider aligning technical capabilities with VOLARE program objectives to position competitively for forthcoming task orders over the next decade.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** September 19, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)

### Vendors
- Leidos (prime contractor)
- Anduril Industries (prime contractor)

### Sources
- [Leidos joins Anduril in U.S. Air Force design deal](https://defence-blog.com/leidos-joins-anduril-in-u-s-air-force-design-deal) - The Defence Blog