AFWERX

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Innovation across the United States Department of the Air Force comes from Airmen working together to solve real-world challenges. 🌟 AFWERX is proud to highlight the 100th Maintenance Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, who are pioneering safer, more efficient maintenance operations with the Integrated Respirator Information System (IRIS). Originally developed by a team of maintainers, IRIS provides point-of-view video, two-way audio, and lighting for maintainers working in confined spaces—enhancing safety and coordination in real time. 🛠️ With the potential to save over 35,000 work hours annually and return 7,000 days of aircraft availability, IRIS directly strengthens operational readiness by enabling faster, safer maintenance and more time on the flight line. ⏱️ Learn more about the system and its latest demonstration at RAF Mildenhall. 🔗 https://ow.ly/Sm4w50X4vj4 . . . #AFWERX #Spark #USAF #DAF #DoW #Airmen #100thMaintenanceSquadron #RAFMildenhall #IntegratedRespiratorInformationSystem #IRIS #video #audio #lighting #technology #innovation #ConnectTheEcosystem

#ICYMI AFWERX brought our largest 🔥Spark Street 🔥exhibit to the 2025 AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference! In tactical operations, communication delays can cost time—and readiness. That’s why Airmen from the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team at F.E. Warren Air Force Base developed TacHub: a compact, integrated command-and-control unit designed to streamline tactical communications in the field. Showcased at Spark Street, TacHub captured attention across the United States Department of the Air Force and earned the Commander’s Pick award for its potential to drive enterprise-wide impact, operational agility, and strategic alignment. 🏅 TacHub is a portable, waterproof system that replaces a full pallet of comms gear with a single 83-pound unit—streamlining tactical communication with minimal personnel and training. Born from real-world challenges where leaders couldn’t command and control, it fills a critical gap and strengthens mission readiness with field-driven innovation. 🔗 Read the full article to learn more: https://ow.ly/4Vfb50X4uQy . . . #AFWEX #Spark #SparkStreet #AFA25 #USAF #DAF #DoW #FEWarrenAFB #90thCivilEngineerSquadron #ExplosiveOrdnanceDisposal #EOD #TacHub #tacticalcommunications #portable #technology #innovation #ConnecttheEcosystem

⏳ The PY26.1 STRATFI submission window for air opportunities closes THIS FRIDAY, Oct 3 at noon ET! Don’t miss your chance to deliver solutions that strengthen warfighter readiness and accelerate tech into the field. 💻 Join our final office hours this Thursday at 2pm ET to get your last-minute questions answered: https://ow.ly/mZ9u50X3GsJ 🔗 Find submission criteria, webinars, and guidance docs here ➡️ https://ow.ly/hZI950X3GsF . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #Ventures #STRATFI #NoticeofOpportunity #funding #opportunity #SBIR #STTR #innovation #technology #USAF #USSF #DAF

AFWERX & SpaceWERX are fueling the future of defense innovation. 🚀 We guide small businesses, researchers, and government innovators through every stage of development—turning concepts into mission-ready capabilities for the United States Department of the Air Force and building a stronger pipeline that keeps our forces ready for tomorrow’s challenges. Your ideas can power the next leap in readiness. Get involved today! 👉 https://ow.ly/taA150X3FiT . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #GetInvolvedMonday #opportunities #defensetech #smallbusiness #entrepreneurs #military #acquisition #innovation #events #webinars

AFWERX has awarded a SBIR Phase II contract to Grid Aero to continue developing their innovative “Lifter Lite” drones. The Lifter Lite is a long-range, autonomous cargo drone aimed at supporting Agile Combat Employment (ACE) in contested environments where traditional logistics may be limited or at risk. Designed to carry 1,000–8,000 lbs over distances like Guam to Japan (~1,500 miles)—a representative stretch for logistics in the Pacific theater—Lifter Lite is built for rugged conditions, minimal infrastructure, and scalable, low-cost operations across dispersed locations. The platform could also be adapted for missions beyond cargo, including ISR, refueling, or serving as a drone mothership. This partnership is a perfect example of how AFWERX fosters innovation to drive the future of military readiness and accountability in defense technologies. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/t2Bs50X18Go . . . #AFWERX #Ventures #SBIR #PhaseII #contract #USF #DAF #DoW #LifterLite #drone #prototype #military #commercial #logistics #innovation #CommercializeTheForce

⌚ There’s still time to register for the upcoming AFWERX & SpaceWERX Innovation Unleashed AMA! If you're an innovator across government, industry, and academia looking to bypass bureaucracy, register now to lean in and explore the Challenge program. Get an insider look into how to turn visionary ideas into cutting-edge capabilities across the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. 💡 Register now to secure your spot and join us September 30 at 1pm ET / 10am PT: https://ow.ly/hLnZ50WZBo0 . . . #AFWERXChallenge #InnovationUnleashed #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #DefenseInnovation #GovTech #webinar

Earlier this month, AFWERX STTR Phase II awardee SimX showcased their VALOR (Virtual Advancement of Learning and Operational Readiness) system to military leaders and educators at Joint Base San Antonio's Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. 🧑🏫 VALOR provides a wide range of military medicine scenarios that allow medics to train in immersive, realistic environments using just a headset and laptop. From battlefield trauma and prolonged casualty care to aeromedical evacuation, chemical/biological incidents, and K-9 trauma cases, VALOR prepares medics to handle a variety of critical situations—either individually or as part of a team. Discover more about how SimX's VALOR can address key training challenges like scheduling, equipment needs, and access to specialized facilities. 🔗 https://ow.ly/4lcj50X18MZ . . . #AFWERX #Ventures #STTR #PhaseII #USAF #DAF #DoW #59thMedicalWing #JointBaseSanAntonioLackland #VALOR #VirtualAdvancementOfLearningAndOperationalReadiness #VR #technology #innovation #CommercializeTheForce

⚡ AFWERX’s third and final day at The 2025 AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference wrapped up yesterday with visits from Dr. Troy Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, and Lt. General Dale White, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, and concluding with awards for outstanding achievements in creativity and innovation: Commander’s Pick: The AFWERX Spark Senior leaders recognized the project that stood-out for strategic alignment, operational promise, and potential enterprise-level impact. 🏆TacHub - Agile Communications for the Modern Mission Challenge: AFWERX Spark voted for the innovator who demonstrated exceptional commitment by completing the most pre-event challenges, actively engaging with mentors and teammates, and consistently setting the standard for collaboration, preparation, and initiative. A true example for others to follow.  🏆Advanced Technology for Land, Air, and Sea (ATLAS) Clutch: AFWERX Spark voted for the project exemplifying outstanding impact through consistent presence, and adaptability under pressure.  🏆Automated Medical Evacuation Rover (AMER) Spark MVP: The Spark Street innovators voted for their peers who worked to forge meaningful connections to bridge grassroots innovation to enterprise outcomes.  🏆Talon - FPV/sUAS Training, Laboratory, & Red Cell Spark of Genius: The Spark Street innovators voted for their peers who brought bold, creative, ideas to life solving real-world challenges. This innovation stood out not only for its creativity, but for its ability to inspire, engage, and offer fresh perspectives on what's possible for the mission serving as most likely to transition. 🏆Kit for Rapid Aerial Treatment of Hemorrhage (K-Rath) Spark TrailBlazer: All visitors, Spark Street attendees, innovators, and ecosystem partners voted for their favorite Spark Cell project, recognizing creativity and measurable warfighter impact.   🏆Roving Autonomous Vehicle for Extended Networks (RAVEN) Thank you to everyone who visited our biggest🔥Spark Street🔥exhibit yet, joined our Power Briefs, and participated in office hours! Most importantly, huge thanks to the Airmen, Guardians, and United States Department of War innovators driving cutting-edge tech that strengthens our warfighting capabilities! Learn more about how to get involved with support from AFWERX today: https://ow.ly/C2M050WZB6Z . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #Spark #SparkStreet #AFA25 #USAF #USSF #Airmen #Guardians #innovation #warfighting #technology #event

⚡ Day 2 at the 2025 AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference showed how Airmen & Guardians deliver warfighting innovation with impact. Projects demonstrating drones, AI/ML, medical, logistics, and manufacturing tech all prove ideas can turn into mission-ready solutions. We were honored to have Air Force Research Laboratory Commander, Brig. Gen. Bartolomei, and Under Secretary of the Air Force, Matthew Lohmeier, check out the innovation on display! ☑️ 👏 Kudos to those who joined our Fellowships & SBIR/STTR Power Briefs + office hours! Don’t miss our final day of new grassroot projects, briefs, and meetings today: 🏋️ Power Briefs: 10am ET (Spark Cells), 2:30pm ET (AFWERX/SpaceWERX) 💼 Office Hours: 7:30 - 11am ET (Phase I & SpaceWERX), 11am - 2pm ET (Phase II & Challenge) Find our full schedule, register, and swing by to see us: https://ow.ly/viX350X1C0j . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #Spark #SparkStreet #AFA25 #USAF #USSF #Airmen #Guardians #innovation #warfighting #technology #event