# Air Force Awards Nominal $71.2M STRATFI

In October 2026, the U.S. Air Force awarded Austin-based Nominal a $71.2 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) award for its AI platform for testing complex hardware. STRATFI requires matching funds from outside the Air Force. Nominal also reported raising $240 million at a $3 billion valuation, serving 80 customers including Anduril. The award signals federal investment in hardware-testing capabilities, but the available information does not specify the award’s detailed scope or a solicitation pathway.

- **Why this matters:** Contractors developing, integrating, or testing complex systems may find Nominal’s platform relevant to Air Force-funded work; the award’s scope should not be assumed beyond the information reported.
- The matching-funds requirement means the STRATFI award depends on funding from outside the Air Force as well as Air Force funding.
- Companies with complementary hardware-testing or systems-integration capabilities can assess whether collaboration with Nominal fits their business strategy, while recognizing that no specific teaming opportunity or solicitation is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Air Force (USAF)

### Vendors
- Nominal (awardee)
- Anduril (customer)

### Sources
- [Nominal, the AI platform for testing complex hardware like aircraft and nuclear reactors, just raised $240M at a $3B valuation, triple its March valuation.

It has 80 customers, including Anduril, and a $71.2M Air Force contract.
https://t.co/GdTsFeBroO](https://x.com/LiquidaxCapital/status/2120909670663491978) - twitter-defense