Developing Effective Solutions to Technological Challenges

AFWERX is a joint venture of the United States Air Force and Space Force, by which the two services—according to the program’s website—seek to “accelerate agile and affordable capability transitions by teaming innovative technology developers with Airman and Guardian talent.

Viewed through the lenses of pragmatism and plain-language, AFWERX is fast and lean, low-red-tape initiative that scrutinizes and endeavors to weaponize extant and inchoate Advanced Air Mobility(AAM) concepts and technologies—or, as the AFWERX public-relations department puts it: “develop effective solutions to the challenges facing the service through partnerships with private sector business entities, with particular emphasis being placed on collaboration with technology startups.”

AFWERX—which, remarkably, isn’t an acronym—comprises three core arms: AFVentures, Spark and Prime. AFVentures executes the Small Business Program for the Department of the Air Force; Spark addresses internal innovation and education within the USAF; and Prime evaluates commercial AAM concepts for compatibility with U.S. Department of Defense objectives.

AFWERX Prime is about the business of vetting manned and unmanned electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems from manufacturers the likes of Joby Aviation, Lift Air Mobility, Beta Technologies, Elroy, and Talon Aviation Services. In all, AFWERX holds 22 contracts with over 14 U.S. and international aerospace concerns.

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