AFWERX

AFWERX
Name	AFWERX
Founded	2017
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia, United States
Parent organization	United States Air Force
Key people	Col. Elliott Leigh (Director)
Website	https://www.afwerx.af.mil/

AFWERX. Established in 2017 by the United States Air Force and later expanded to serve the United States Space Force, AFWERX is a technology directorate and innovation catalyst designed to solve challenges and accelerate the development of transformative capabilities. It functions as a bridge connecting the U.S. Department of Defense with innovators from academia, venture capital, and the commercial sector worldwide. Its core mission is to foster a culture of innovation, streamline rapid procurement, and expand the industrial base for the United States Armed Forces.

History and establishment

AFWERX was created under the leadership of then-Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson as a direct response to the accelerating pace of technological change in the commercial sector. The initiative was modeled in part on successful innovation units like the DARPA and the United States Army's Army Futures Command. Its establishment was formally directed by the Air Force Chief of Staff David L. Goldfein and was seen as a critical step in modernizing acquisition processes. The organization's creation coincided with a broader Pentagon push for innovation, exemplified by the stand-up of the Defense Innovation Unit and the Air Force Research Laboratory's outreach efforts.

Mission and objectives

The primary mission of AFWERX is to accelerate agile and affordable capability transitions to the warfighter by fostering innovation across the defense industry and beyond. Key objectives include democratizing access to Air Force and Space Force challenges for non-traditional partners, including small businesses and startups. It aims to reduce barriers to entry through streamlined contracting mechanisms like the SBIR and STTR programs. Furthermore, a central goal is to cultivate a robust pipeline of dual-use technologies that benefit both national security and the commercial market.

Organizational structure

AFWERX is organized into several distinct divisions, each with a specialized focus. AFWERX Prime oversees high-impact partnerships and the management of the AFWERX Fusion Campus in Las Vegas. The AFVentures division focuses on engaging with the venture capital community and making strategic investments in promising startups. The Spark program establishes innovation cells, known as Spark Cells, directly at Air Force bases worldwide to empower local Airmen. The organization is led by a director and operates under the oversight of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Key programs and initiatives

A flagship initiative is the AFWERX Challenge series, which crowdsources solutions to specific operational problems from the global tech community. The SBIR and STTR programs are massively accelerated through AFWERX, offering "Open Topics" that allow companies to propose solutions in broadly defined areas. The AFWERX Fusion event series, often held in partnership with entities like the AUVSI, facilitates networking and pitch sessions. Another critical program is Agility Prime, which seeks to advance the emerging market for eVTOL aircraft.

Partnerships and collaborations

AFWERX actively builds ecosystems with a vast network of partners. It collaborates extensively with other U.S. Department of Defense agencies like the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Special Operations Command. Key academic partnerships include work with the MIT and Stanford University. It also engages with major commercial technology firms, national laboratories such as Sandia National Laboratories, and international allies through organizations like NATO. Collaborations with venture capital firms are managed through the AFVentures fund.

Impact and notable projects

AFWERX has significantly impacted the Air Force's ability to field new technologies rapidly. Notable projects include the development and testing of autonomous cargo resupply drones for contested environments. Through the Agility Prime program, it has advanced several eVTOL aircraft prototypes toward potential military utility. The initiative has awarded thousands of contracts to small businesses, dramatically expanding the defense industrial base. Its streamlined processes have reduced contract award timelines from years to months, a change highlighted in testimonies before the House Armed Services Committee.

Category:United States Air Force Category:Military research and development Category:Organizations established in 2017