JACKSONVILLE, FL — Snowbird Technologies, a leader in expeditionary equipment solutions for extreme and austere environments, is proud to announce its selection as a finalist for the Maritime Manufacturing Innovation Challenge at the Defense TechConnect Conference 2026, taking place September 22–24, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland.
Launched in 2025 in response to the Executive Order to Revitalize U.S. Maritime Power, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Challenge was established to identify emerging technologies capable of strengthening the future of American shipbuilding and maritime readiness. The inaugural Challenge highlighted the increasingly important role of advanced manufacturing, automation, advanced materials, digital engineering, and industrial innovation in supporting U.S. Navy modernization priorities and strengthening the nation’s maritime industrial base.
Now in its second year, the Challenge continues to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative technologies aligned with the U.S. Navy’s advanced manufacturing strategy and the broader national imperative to rebuild and strengthen America’s maritime capabilities.
The initiative seeks transformative technologies that can modernize shipbuilding, sustainment, maintenance, logistics, workforce capabilities, and industrial resilience. By connecting non-traditional innovators, advanced manufacturers, startups, defense stakeholders, and maritime leaders, the Challenge helps identify scalable solutions designed to improve lifecycle efficiency, expand production capacity, strengthen supply chain resilience, and enhance operational readiness across the maritime ecosystem.
As a finalist, Snowbird Technologies will present “Digital Maritime Sustainment Ecosystem for SSC Fleet Readiness,” introducing an integrated, AI-enabled, deployable advanced manufacturing solution designed to reduce reliance on the traditional defense industrial base OEM network while strengthening supply chain resilience and mission readiness.
“It’s an honor to be named a finalist in the Maritime Manufacturing Innovation Challenge,” said Karl Wojtkun, Vice President of Business Development at Snowbird Technologies. “For the Snowbird Technologies team, opportunities like this are incredibly valuable. We have the opportunity to share what we’ve been developing, engage with leaders across government and industry, and contribute to a broader effort to strengthen America’s maritime industrial base and national security.”
Innovation Challenge winners will be announced following finalist presentations during the Defense TechConnect Conference.
About Snowbird Technologies
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Snowbird Technologies provides advanced manufacturing, environmental control, and atmospheric water generation solutions for defense, government, and commercial customers worldwide. The company specializes in ruggedized systems engineered to operate in extreme and austere environments, enabling mission success wherever it is required. Learn more at www.snowbirdtech.com.
Media Contact
Caroline Brown Samsel
Marketing Manager
Snowbird Technologies
cbrown@snowbirdtech.com
www.snowbirdtech.com
cbrown@snowbirdtech.com
904-739-1300
