Utah advanced composite manufacturers equip elite athletes with cutting-edge aerospace materials

Utah's advanced technology ecosystem brings aerospace, composites and elite sport together ahead of the 2034 Olympic Winter Games

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 47G, USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS), Albany Engineered Composites, Hexcel and Nammo Composite Solutions today announced a new partnership bringing together advanced materials, engineering and manufacturing expertise to support the development of next generation cowlings for USA bobsleds. The partnership was announced at 47G's annual Zero Gravity Summit, held as part of Hard Tech Week in Salt Lake City.

The collaboration brings together athletes, engineers, manufacturers and innovators to explore how technologies developed for some of the world's most demanding applications can be applied to elite sport. The partnership also showcases the depth of Utah's hard-tech ecosystem, connecting companies with expertise spanning aerospace, advanced materials, manufacturing and defense with athletes preparing to compete on the world's biggest stage: The 2034 Winter Olympics.

"Partnerships like this are a great reminder that innovation can come from unexpected places," said Lyndon Smith, President, Americas & Global Fibers. "The same advanced materials and technical expertise that support aerospace and defense can open new possibilities in elite sport. We're excited to work alongside USA Bobsled/Skeleton and our industry partners to see what we can accomplish together."

At the heart of the effort is the application of advanced composite technology to one of the most equipment-driven sports in the world. For USABS athletes, performance is measured in hundredths of a second, making the weight, strength, aerodynamics and design of a sled critical considerations on the track. As part of this partnership, Albany will work with USABS to manufacture next-generation composite bobsleds intended to support USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes. Hexcel is contributing advanced composite materials expertise, while Nammo Composite Solutions will manufacture carbon-fiber cowlings for the team's two-man bobsleds.

The technology behind the partnership has applications far beyond the bobsled track. Advanced composite materials offer a combination of strength, durability and low weight that has made them essential to modern aerospace and defense applications, including aircraft, missiles and unmanned systems. Albany, Hexcel and Nammo bring decades of experience engineering and manufacturing composite components for some of the world's most demanding environments, and the USABS partnership creates an opportunity to apply that expertise to elite athletics. Together, these Utah-based companies are bringing aerospace and defense expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing to the development of high-performance sled technology.

"Advanced composite technology has helped transform aerospace by enabling engineers to design components that are strong, lightweight and capable of performing in some of the most demanding environments," said Jeff Daniel, vice president, commercial segment at Albany Engineered Composites. "Bringing that expertise to bobsled creates an exciting opportunity to apply what we have learned in aerospace to a completely different performance challenge. We are proud to work alongside USA Bobsled/Skeleton to develop technology that can support USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes on the road to 2034 and beyond."

The partnership comes as Utah prepares to welcome the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2034. USABS athletes already train and compete at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, creating a natural connection between the state's technology ecosystem and the future of bobsled competition on home ice. For 47G, the collaboration represents an opportunity to demonstrate that Utah's Olympic legacy can extend beyond hosting world-class competition. With advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, research and technology companies operating across the state, Utah has developed an ecosystem capable of bringing together expertise from traditionally separate industries.

"Utah has spent decades building an ecosystem where advanced manufacturing, aerospace, research and entrepreneurship intersect," said Aaron Starks, president and CEO of 47G. "As we look toward 2034, we have an opportunity not only to host the world's best athletes, but also to showcase the technologies, companies and talent helping shape the future of performance and innovation."

The partnership was announced October 28 at 47G's annual Zero Gravity Summit at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, held as part of Hard Tech Week. As USA Bobsled/Skeleton athletes prepare for the 2034 Winter Olympics on home ice, aerospace and advanced manufacturing expertise is finding a new proving ground on the bobsled track.

About 47G
47G is the nation's fastest-growing organization for deeptech and aerospace and defense companies. Representing more than 230 members, 47G is building a nationally recognized ecosystem that accelerates the development and deployment of next-generation technologies. Want to learn more? Visit our website at 47G.org, follow us on LinkedIn and X, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

About USA Bobsled/Skeleton
USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) is the national governing body for bobsled and skeleton in the United States. USABS promotes and grows the sports while recruiting, developing, training and supporting athletes from their introduction to bobsled and skeleton through elite international competition.

About Albany Engineered Composites
Albany Engineered Composites, a segment of Albany International Corp. (NYSE: AIN), designs and manufactures advanced engineered composite components for demanding applications in commercial and military aircraft, missiles and unmanned vehicles. Albany Engineered Composites combines advanced materials, engineering and manufacturing expertise to develop solutions for some of the world's most demanding applications.

About Hexcel
Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced lightweight composites technology. We provide innovative, high-performance material solutions that are lighter, stronger, and tougher, shaping a world that moves farther, smarter, and more efficiently. Our broad and unrivaled product range includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, resins, engineered core, and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, defense and space, and industrial applications.

About Nammo
Nammo Composite Solutions (NCS) is part of Nammo, an international aerospace and defense company headquartered in Raufoss, Norway. With more than 4,000 employees, 27 production sites, and a presence in 12 allied countries, Nammo is one of the world's leading providers of specialty ammunition, shoulder-fired systems, and rocket motors. NCS applies that same manufacturing discipline to advanced composite structures for aerospace and defense applications.

SOURCE Utah Aerospace and Defense Association