Aerospace & defense companies and/or component manufacturers may be eligible for R&D tax credits for performing qualified research activities. For example, the following activities may be eligible for R&D tax credits:
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Performing technical research on new and/or improved components, equipment, vehicles, or facilities
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Performing technical research on designing, building and testing new technology (e.g. product, software, hardware)
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Performing technical design validation testing to satisfy regulatory requirements
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Developing new and/or improving manufacturing methods or processes (e.g. design integration of robotics, machinery, equipment, hardware, software, enhanced scaling protocols)
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Developing new or improved fasteners and bonding agents
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Developing new and/or improving metal forming, welding, or machining techniques (e.g. waste reduction, throughput enhancement)
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Developing new and/or improving material composites (weight optimization, durability, tension strength, etc.)
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Developing new and/or improving tooling (e.g. mechanized design enhancements)
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Developing products and/or methods in response to changing industry regulation and requirements
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Developing new and/or improving qualification or environmental testing (stress screening, temperature resistance, spatial constraints)
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Developing new and/or improved system operations (e.g. hardware, software, machinery), communications, and integration
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Developing new and/or improved applications for engineering plastic components
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Developing new and/or improved alloys and powdered metallurgy components
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Developing new and/or improved surface or coating treatments , (e.g. passivation, non-electrolytic finishing, hardening techniques, heat treatment)
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Designing and/or fabrication of prototypes (satellites, radio frequency, aircraft / defense components, etc.)
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Designing new and/or improved automation or robotics processes
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Designing new and/or improved jigs, dies, fixtures, and tooling
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Designing new and/or improved aircraft. spacecraft, satellite technologies (optimize strength, minimize weight, etc.)
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Designing new and/or improved methods for manufacturing avionics (e.g. communications, navigation, the display systems) and cable harness assemblies
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Testing prototypes and first articles for validation and experimentation iterations
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Experimenting with new and/or improved ways to increase product yield and decrease cycle times