USA Bobsled/Skeleton has launched a collaboration with several US aerospace and defence companies to develop a new generation of bobsleds using advanced composite materials and manufacturing technologies.
The programme involves Albany Engineered Composites, Hexcel, Nammo Composite Solutions and 47G and aims to transfer technologies originally developed for aerospace and defence applications, where weight, stiffness, strength and shape control are critical performance parameters.
As part of the project, Albany Engineered Composites will manufacture composite body structures for four-man sleds, while Nammo Composite Solutions will produce carbon-fibre structures for two-man sleds. Hexcel will contribute advanced composite materials and expertise developed across aerospace and industrial markets.
The objective is to improve performance by focusing primarily on weight, structural stiffness and aerodynamics, three critical factors in bobsled competition, where very small differences can affect overall results.
The programme represents a clear example of technology transfer from aerospace to sport, with materials and processes used in aircraft, unmanned systems and defence applications being adapted to sporting components exposed to high acceleration and dynamic loads.
Carbon fibre also makes it possible to produce complex geometries with high dimensional accuracy, reducing weight compared with more conventional solutions and allowing closer integration between structural performance and aerodynamic design.
The collaboration therefore aims to create a new generation of bobsleds that can benefit directly from the capabilities of the US aerospace supply chain, bringing mature high-performance composite technologies into elite sport.
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29 October 2026
