AFWERX transitions agile, affordable, and accelerated capabilities by teaming innovative technology developers with Airmen and Guardian talent.
Organizationally, AFWERX has three efforts: AFVentures, Spark, and Prime.
Commercial Technology Industrial Base: The first, AFVentures, is all about tapping both U.S. and global tech ecosystems, using military problems to accelerate commercial technologies. We are transforming the Air and Space Force into an early-stage “investor” that leverages private capital, accelerates commercialization using military missions, and grows the number of companies partnering with us.
Empowered and Innovative Airmen Talent: The second branch, Spark, is all about empowering innovation at the operational edge. Spark connects amazing Airmen and Space Professionals to commercial innovators using virtual collaboration, immersive training, and networking opportunities that inspire ideas and cultivate a creative Force. By connecting operators closer to acquisition, Spark provides both a voice and conduit to turn powerful ideas into powerful operational realities.
Accelerated Capability Through Transitions: The third branch, Prime, is all about priming-and then accelerating-emerging commercial markets using military missions and equities. In addition to funding, Prime programs will leverage other unique Department resources-like test infrastructure, certification authorities, interagency relationships, and early operational use cases-bringing the Air and Space Force’s full value proposition to bear by becoming an early adopter to de-risk emerging markets.
AFRL-2021-3111