General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems, has announced a strategic investment in Arceon B.V., a pioneering Dutch company specializing in advanced ceramic composites. The investment follows Arceon’s standout pitch at the inaugural Blue Magic Netherlands (BMN) event held in November 2024, an innovation-focused conference designed to connect Dutch technology companies with defense and aerospace leaders.

Arceon is transforming high-performance carbon-ceramic components through its scalable melt infiltration process. These Carbeon materials are engineered for demanding applications such as nozzles, leading edges, nose caps, airframes, and hypersonic systems. The technology attracted the interest of GA-ASI and its affiliated businesses, General Atomics Energy and General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, due to its potential across a wide range of critical missions.

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

Brad Lunn, Managing Director for GA-ASI, commented, “We’re excited to be working with Arceon. Their technology could have a broad range of applications for GA, from high-temperature engine exhaust materials to hypersonics and fusion containment.”

Arceon now joins Emergent Swarm Solutions and Saluqi Motors as part of the cohort of Dutch companies selected for investment following the BMN event. Blue Magic Netherlands was organized in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Brainport Development Eindhoven, and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM).

GA-ASI is also actively supporting the Royal Netherlands Air Force through the delivery of eight MQ-9A aircraft and continues to deepen ties with the Dutch innovation ecosystem. Building on the success of the inaugural BMN, the company plans to host its second Blue Magic Netherlands event in Eindhoven later this year.

Source: www.ga-asi.com