AFWERX
Technology Accelerator
File:Seal of the US Air Force.svg
Connecting Innovators. Accelerating Results.
Project typeTechnology accelerator
ObjectiveIncrease collaboration between inter and extra service innovators and entrepreneurs.
Project coordinatorUnited States Air Force
PartnersTechstars
Budget
  • Total: 11 million dollars
Duration2017 –
Websitewww.afwerx.af.mil

AFWERX is a United States Air Force program with the goal of fostering a culture of innovation within the service.[1] Encompassing a number of programs supported with relatively small amounts of funding, the initiative is intended to circumvent bureaucracy and engage new entrepreneurs in Air Force programs.[2][3] AFWERX was officially announced by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson on 21 July 2017 during her visit to Nellis Air Force Base.[1] The program is partially based on the structure of Air Force Special Operations Command, and has been described as an "Island of misfit toys" for entrepreneurs in the Air Force. Secretary Wilson stated that the program would "increase lethality at a lower cost".[1]

Purpose

AFWERX is intended to engage inter and extra service innovators and entrepreneurs in the operations of the United States Air Force. The goal of the programs under the AFWERX umbrella is to develop effective solutions to the challenges facing the service through partnerships with private sector business entities, with particular emphasis being placed on collaboration with technology startups.[1][3]

Technology accelerator

Through AFWERX, the Air Force launched a technology accelerator program in September 2017.[4] The technology accelerator program emphasizes the development and implementation of autonomous technologies. The goal of these developments is to increase the ability of the Air Force assets to detect, identify, attribute, and mitigate autonomous technologies.[5] Boston based company PBTS LLC and entrepreneur networking service Techstars were contracted to operate the first accelerator program in conjunction with AFWERX.[5][6][7]

Spark Cells

The Spark Cell program is a network of semi-autonomous innovation units throughout the US Air Force, typically founded by Airmen at the base-level. About 70 cells have launched around the world since AFWERX was created in 2017, which have been further supported by convening events such as the Spark Collider and workshops to collaborate, and share knowledge and lessons learned.

Locations

The first functioning AFWERX location was announced to be opening at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2018, where, according to the Air Force, groups will be able to present ideas for evaluation by the service branch.[1][8] The Vegas location opened in early June 2018.[9] AFWERX opened a new facility in Austin, Texas also in June 2018,[10] and later opened a third location in Washington D.C.[11]

Initiatives

HSVTOL Challenge

This challenge is to develop innovative designs for high-speed vertical take-off and landing aircraft. It launched in June 2021. The intent is to leapfrog the capabilities of the current VTOL aircraft, helicopters like the Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, which have maximum speeds less than 400 mph.[12]

Desired items include jet-like speed, in-flight transition between hover and cruise, increased range and endurance, in-flight refueling capability, and flexible payload. Designs that fit on a standard pallet, or offer smart collision and threat avoidance systems received extra credit.[12]

35 submissions moved to the second stage of 218 original submissions.[12]

Projects[12]
Project Supplier Type Notes
Speeder Jetpack Aviation Jet-powered multicopter Thrust vectoring
JetQuad FusionFlight Quad turbine Thrust vectoring, 50 lb.
Bell HSVTOL Tilting jet engines 100k lb.
Advanced Tactics / RotorX Barracuda Quadcopter tiltrotor 4 turboprops, 14 seats
Jetoptera / Northrop Grumman: HSVTOL Retractable Wing Thrusters, Upper Surface Blown Wing, Turbocompressors Fluidic propulsion (bladeless fan), efficient, thrust vectoring, Mach 0.8
Albers Group Vortex Tilt wing 8 rotor, 4 seats, 575 mi range
Vox Aircraft Raytheon-RTX and Pratt & Whitney UAV Quad multicopter, pusher engine Onboard generator,

Agility Prime

Agility Prime is a program designed to partner with the commercial aviation industry and bring air taxis, or electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to urban settings. The aerospace market is estimated to be $1.5T by 2040.[13] The Agility Prime program will drive innovative new approaches for transiting technology to the field: contracts, airworthiness, and testing. It has received over $1B in commercial investment as of December 2021.[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Air Force opens doors to universities, small businesses and entreprene". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  2. ↑ "AFWERX – Connecting innovators and accelerating results". afwerxdc.org. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  3. 1 2 "SECAF talks Light Attack Experiment, innovation at AFA dinner". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  4. ↑ "Air Force opens applications for dual-purpose technology accelerator p". Air Force Space Command. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  5. 1 2 "Air Force opens applications for dual-purpose technology accelerator p". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  6. ↑ "Techstars Autonomous Technology Accelerator with U.S. Air Force". Techstars. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  7. ↑ "Techstars Launches Autonomous Tech Program in Boston with US Air Force". www.americaninno.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  8. ↑ "AFwerX Vegas opens new doors to innovation". www.aerotechnews.com. September 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  9. ↑ "AFWERX-Vegas Grand Debut". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  10. ↑ "Air Force innovation group AFWERX expands to Texas - Fedscoop". Fedscoop. 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  11. ↑ "New Air Force innovation hub in Austin offers problem solving for SA". www.bizjournals.com. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Blain, Loz (2021-08-24). "US Air Force set to showcase 35 high-speed VTOL aircraft concepts". New Atlas. Archived from the original on 2021-08-24. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  13. ↑ "Agility Prime - AFWERX". 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  14. ↑ "The U.S. Air Force Agility Prime Program: Progress in 2021 and Goals for 2022". interactive.aviationtoday.com. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
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