Icon Technology announced on Apr. 14 the launch of Icon Prime, a new division dedicated to military and space construction. The Austin-based company, known for its 3D-printing building technology, is expanding beyond its residential projects to formalize its growing defense and aerospace business.
The move signals an effort by Icon to diversify revenue streams outside of homebuilding as it pursues opportunities with government agencies. The company has already secured significant contracts with the U.S. Army and NASA, positioning itself as a player in both terrestrial and lunar infrastructure development.
Will Hurd, former CIA officer and ex-congressman from Texas, will lead the new division as president. Hurd said in an announcement that Icon Prime aims to adapt the firm’s automated construction technologies for use in challenging environments such as remote military bases or even on the moon.
Icon’s proprietary Vulcan and Titan printers are at the center of these efforts. In December, the U.S. Army awarded Icon a $62.8 million contract to build ten barracks at Fort Bliss in El Paso using 3D printing technology; each structure will cover about 10,000 square feet with completion expected within six months. A subsequent $67.9 million contract was awarded for similar work at Fort Polk in Louisiana.
Beyond Earth-based projects, Icon has been working with NASA since winning a $57.2 million contract in 2022 to develop lunar construction systems using local materials like regolith for infrastructure such as landing pads and roads by potentially as early as 2028. Executives say that achieving success with horizontal structures could pave the way for vertical buildings on other planets—a concept currently being tested at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The expansion into defense and space comes alongside continued commercialization of Icon’s technology domestically; recent initiatives include offering its Titan system for lease to other builders, with sales planned for 2027.
