COMPAM Project: COGIT Composites Revolutionizes Hybrid Additive Manufacturing for Defense Drones

 

From Observation to Innovation

From June 17 to 21, 2026, COGIT Composites exhibited at Eurosatory, the international defense and security trade show. Among the standout trends at this year’s event was the explosive growth of drones, which are now at the heart of innovation strategies for industry players. But at COGIT COMPOSITES, we don’t just observe these developments: we anticipate and shape them. It is with this momentum that we are officially launching the COMPAM (COMposite & Polymer Additive Manufacturing) project, in collaboration with Pilgrim Technology and the Agence Innovation Défense (AID). The goal? To bring an emerging hybrid 3D printing process, combining composites and engineering polymers, to maturity in order to design the next generation of drones.  

COMPAM: An Ambitious Project for the Defense Industry

The COMPAM project aims to deploy a hybrid additive manufacturing cell, combining:

• A composite placement head (AFP – Automated Fiber Placement) for continuous fibers, ensuring optimal mechanical properties (stiffness, strength).
• An advanced, instrumented extrusion head for short fibers, enabling the functionalization of parts (integration of sensors, local reinforcements, etc.).

This dual-pronged approach capitalizes on the advantages of both technologies: Lightweight and high strength thanks to continuous fibers. Flexibility and functionality thanks to short fibers and engineering polymers.  

Key Innovations

To address the challenges of cost, performance, and reproducibility, the COMPAM project focuses on several major areas: 1- Polymer pellet processing

• Reducing the production costs of printed polymers.
• Simplifying the procurement of raw materials.

2- Real-time quality control

• Development of sensors and algorithms to guarantee the mechanical properties of parts throughout the process.

3- Control of manufacturing processes

• Understanding the thermophysical phenomena of polymers.
• Specialized instrumentation for precise monitoring of parameters (temperature, pressure, deposition rate).
• Optimization of thermal parameters for FGF (Fused Granulate Fabrication) and AFP processes.

4- Design of a hybrid drone structure

• Optimization for stiffness, strength, airtightness, and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility).
• Validation on a physical demonstrator, paving the way for industrial applications.

 

Why is this project strategic?

At Eurosatory 2026, we saw that drones have become indispensable for the following missions:

• Surveillance and reconnaissance (tactical drones).
• Response and logistics (transport or support drones).
• Protection and security (anti-drone drones, detection systems).

However, their performance depends directly on their endurance and payload. The materials used and the drone’s architecture are key factors. This is where COMPAM comes in: by combining additive manufacturing and composites, we aim to push the boundaries of drone structures while reducing weight, costs, and production lead times.  

A Winning Collaboration

This project is the result of a strong partnership between:

• COGIT Composites: Expertise in composite structure design and additive manufacturing.
• AID (Agence Innovation Défense): Financial and strategic support to accelerate innovation in the defense sector.
• PILGRIM TECHNOLOGY: A specialist in drones and autonomous systems, contributing its expertise in technology integration.

Together, we pool our expertise to create unique and high-performance solutions.  

The Outlook: Toward Modular and Scalable Workshops

Ultimately, the COMPAM project will not be limited to the design of a demonstration drone. It paves the way for:

• Modular production workshops incorporating robotic hybrid 3D printing systems.
• The industrialization of processes for large-scale manufacturing of complex parts.
• Expanded applications: aerospace, space, and even civilian industries (automotive, energy).

In other words, COMPAM is not just a project… it is an industrial revolution in the making.  

Conclusion: Innovation as the Driving Force Behind Defense

Eurosatory 2026 provided an opportunity to confirm a trend: drones are at the heart of the modernization of armed forces and security systems. With the COMPAM project, COGIT Composites and PILGRIM TECHNOLOGY are fully embracing this momentum by pushing the boundaries of materials and manufacturing processes.   A big thank you to our partners, Pilgrim Technology and the AID, for their trust and commitment. Together, we are building the future of defense.