RISE Robotics Selected for $3M AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI)
SOMERVILLE, Mass. – RISE Robotics announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) in the amount of $3M focused on refining and fielding the RISE Beltdraulic SuperJammer Vehicle platform for testing and demonstration in an operational environment. This development will address one of the more pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF): modernizing a 60+ year old lift truck platform.
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on 29 July, 2025, RISE Robotics will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“The SuperJammer Vehicle is the result of years of collaborative work with Air Force stakeholders and a deep commitment to solving problems that directly affect mission success,” said Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics. “This award enables us to bring our Beltdraulic-powered munitions handling platform into real-world operational environments to validate its safety, precision, and reliability.”
About RISE Robotics
RISE Robotics is a Somerville, MA-based startup backed by MIT’s The Engine, Techstars, and Fortistar Capital, modernizing heavy machinery used by the DoD with its patented dual-use Beltdraulic™ technology, a fluid-free, zero-emissions, autonomy-ready linear actuator that delivers hydraulic-like power without the drawbacks. Beltdraulic is 3x faster, 3x more efficient, with significantly lower maintenance than hydraulics, improving operational efficiency, resilience to contested logistics, and mission readiness. Recently awarded the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Strongest Robotic Arm Prototype”, RISE is a Reg CF company, allowing both accredited and non-accredited investors to own a piece of the future with better machines through Wefunder. For more information, please visit riserobotics.com.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 320 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.
