News

Dec. 21, 2022
Innovation Industry Days event to educate small businesses, academia

Small businesses, academics and government officials involved in emerging technologies will gather Jan. 24-26, 2023, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas for Innovation Industry Days, a networking and educational event sponsored by AFWERX and the Air Force Installation
Dec. 19, 2022
AFWERX appoints new director, Col. Elliott Leigh to lead AFWERX 3.0 efforts

Col. Elliott Leigh became director of AFWERX, a directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Department of the Air Force’s innovation arm, during a change of leadership ceremony Dec. 15, 2022, at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Dec. 14, 2022
DAF transitions from AFWERX 2.0 to 3.0 during livestreamed event

AFWERX outgoing Director Col. Nathan Diller and Col. Elliott Leigh, the incoming director, discussed the imminent launch of AFWERX 3.0, the next iteration of the innovation organization coming in 2023, during a livestreamed event with 500 virtual attendees at the AFWERX hub in Dayton, Ohio, Dec. 14.
Dec. 13, 2022
2023 Innovation Industry Days open for registration

Registration is now open for the 2023 Innovation Industry Days in San Antonio.
Dec. 13, 2022
AFRL, AFTC collaborate on future technology via weeklong autonomy summit

Leaders and personnel from Air Force Materiel Command organizations collaborated virtually during the fall Air Force Research Laboratory-Air Force Test Center, or AFRL-AFTC, Summit Nov. 14-18, 2022, to discuss the future of autonomy.
Dec. 5, 2022
AFWERX Refinery supports Airman and Guardian innovators

The Refinery program, an initiative of AFWERX’s Spark division, will host its seventh cohort of Airmen and Guardians for a four-week, hybrid Accelerator program in February 2023 to target grassroots efforts within the Department of the Air Force and rapidly advance innovative projects that directly
Nov. 30, 2022
Department of the Air Force announces Spark Tank 2023 semifinalists

The sixth annual Spark Tank 2023, or ST23, quarterfinals were held Nov. 9, 2022, at the Basic Research Innovation and Collaboration Center in Arlington, Virginia, with the top 15 ideas selected to advance to semifinals.
Nov. 18, 2022
Air, Space Forces transition to AFWERX 3.0

As an innovative learning organization driven to accelerate change in the Department of the Air Force, AFWERX will release a series of new initiatives in support of its 3.0 evolution. Air and Space Force leaders will detail new opportunities for stakeholder engagement during a live broadcast Dec.
Nov. 4, 2022
SpaceWERX awards 124 Orbital Prime contracts

The SpaceWERX Orbital Prime program awarded 124 Phase 1 contracts from June 15 to Sept. 22, 2022, each with a five-month term valued at $250,000.
Oct. 31, 2022
AFRL celebrates unified science and technology enterprise

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, recognized the 25th anniversary of one AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2022, with a celebration led by AFRL Commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle and Chief Master Sgt. James “Bill” Fitch, AFRL command chief. The event honored the