Revision 1107356773 of "AFWERX" on enwiki

{{short description|United States Air Force start-up acceleration}}
{{Infobox research project
| name =AFWERX
| title = Technology Accelerator
| image = File:AFWERX Logo.jpg
| image_alt = File:Seal of the US Air Force.svg
| caption = Connecting Innovators. Accelerating Results.
| keywords = 
| project_type = Technology accelerator
| funding_agency = 
| sponsors = 
| framework_programme = 
| project_reference = 
| research_objective = Increase collaboration between inter and extra service innovators and entrepreneurs.
| location = 
| coordinator = [[United States Air Force]]
| participants = 
| partners = [[Techstars]]
| budget = 11 million dollars
| funding = 
| start = 2017
| end = 
| website = {{URL|http://www.afwerx.af.mil/}}
}}
'''AFWERX''' is a [[United States Air Force]] program with the goal of fostering a culture of innovation within the service.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1254932/air-force-opens-doors-to-universities-small-businesses-and-entrepreneurs-to-boo/|title=Air Force opens doors to universities, small businesses and entreprene|work=U.S. Air Force|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://afwerxdc.org/|title=AFWERX – Connecting innovators and accelerating results|website=afwerxdc.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-14}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1264411/secaf-talks-light-attack-experiment-innovation-at-afa-dinner/|title=SECAF talks Light Attack Experiment, innovation at AFA dinner|work=U.S. Air Force|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref> AFWERX was officially announced by Air Force Secretary [[Heather Wilson]] on 21 July 2017 during her visit to [[Nellis Air Force Base]].<ref name=":0" /> The program is partially based on the structure of [[Air Force Special Operations Command]], and has been described as an "[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)|Island of misfit toys]]" for entrepreneurs in the Air Force. Secretary Wilson stated that the program would "increase lethality at a lower cost".<ref name=":0" />

== 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 [[Startup company|technology startups]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> 

=== Technology accelerator ===
Through AFWERX, the Air Force launched a technology accelerator program in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1313455/air-force-opens-applications-for-dual-purpose-technology-accelerator-program/|title=Air Force opens applications for dual-purpose technology accelerator p|work=Air Force Space Command|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1313455/air-force-opens-applications-for-dual-purpose-technology-accelerator-program/|title=Air Force opens applications for dual-purpose technology accelerator p|work=U.S. Air Force|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref> Boston based company PBTS LLC and entrepreneur networking service [[Techstars]] were contracted to operate the first accelerator program in conjunction with AFWERX.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.techstars.com/programs/autonomous-tech-program/|title=Techstars Autonomous Technology Accelerator with U.S. Air Force|work=Techstars|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Techstars Launches Autonomous Tech Program in Boston with US Air Force|url=https://www.americaninno.com/boston/techstars-launches-autonomous-tech-program-in-boston-with-u-s-air-force/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-04|website=www.americaninno.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918184840/https://www.americaninno.com/boston/techstars-launches-autonomous-tech-program-in-boston-with-u-s-air-force/ |archive-date=2017-09-18 }}</ref>

=== 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb/2017/09/01/afwerx-vegas-opens-new-doors-to-innovation/|title=AFwerX Vegas opens new doors to innovation|website=www.aerotechnews.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-09-22|date=September 2017}}</ref> The Vegas location opened in early June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2018/jun/19/0619AFWERX/|title=AFWERX-Vegas Grand Debut|website=LasVegasSun.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref> AFWERX opened a new facility in [[Austin, Texas]] also in June 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fedscoop.com/afwerx-austin-texas-capital-factory-aetc-diux/|title=Air Force innovation group AFWERX expands to Texas - Fedscoop|date=2018-06-29|work=Fedscoop|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en-US}}</ref> and later opened a third location in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington D.C]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Air Force innovation hub in Austin offers problem solving for SA|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/12/12/new-air-force-innovation-hub-in-austin-offers.html|website=www.bizjournals.com|date=2018-12-12|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref>

==Initiatives==

=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-10|title=Agility Prime - AFWERX|url=https://afwerx.com/agility-prime/|access-date=2021-12-13|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The U.S. Air Force Agility Prime Program: Progress in 2021 and Goals for 2022 |url=http://interactive.aviationtoday.com/avionicsmagazine/january-february-2022/the-u-s-air-force-agility-prime-program-progress-in-2021-and-goals-for-2022/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=interactive.aviationtoday.com}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[National Security Innovation Network]]
*[[Air Force Research Lab]]

== References ==
<references />

{{USMILHIST}}

[[Category:Projects of the United States Air Force]]

{{USAF-stub}}