AFWERX Prime

Abstract

The AFWERX mission is to transition agile, affordable, and accelerated capabilities by teaming innovative technology developers with Airmen and Guardian talent. AFWERX leverages Spark (the Airmen and Guardian talent base), AFVentures (the dual-use expanded technology base), and Prime (technology transitions) to scale and accelerate the capability. Funding in this project supports AFWERX research and development, innovation hubs, and information technology, public affairs, and marketing. The Spark mission is to inspire and enable Airmen and Guardians to unleash their potential and to drive capability development that increases the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of life of the warfighter. AFWERX uses Spark to discover and translate innovative talent into executable projects by facilitating stakeholder alignment through workshops and challenges. This connection brings together the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of our Airmen and Guardians to solve Air and Space Force technology and capability gaps. The AFWERX Program reduces risk in emerging technology markets by partnering with industries through Prime investments and providing access to Government analysis, testing and certification capabilities. Prime investments focus on Government-Industry partnerships to influence and militarize emerging commercial capabilities to ensure US competitive advantage in key technology areas. Next-Gen Large Aircraft aims to accelerate prototyping and widespread adoption of blended wing body aircraft for military and commercial applications, leveraging common goals among DOD and allied nations, commercial airlines and freight companies, other industry partners, and private investors. Cargo, tanker, and non-stealth bomber aircraft account for approximately 40% of DOD's total annual operational energy consumption, estimated to be about 1.2 billion gallons per year. Next-Gen Large Aircraft endeavors to meaningfully reduce fuel delivery logistical challenges, and prime the U.S. commercial aerospace sector to advance 21st century airframe designs in similar manner as military-developed aircraft primed commercial aircraft derivatives in the mid-20th century. Funding for Project 640858 AFWERX Prime under Program 64858F Tech Transition transitioned to Project 640858 AFWERX Prime under this program beginning FY 2023 per Congressional direction. Funding for Project 646030 AFWERX and Project 64317A Technology Transfer Add under Program 64317F Technology Transfer transitioned to Project 640856 AFWERX Operations and Support under this Program beginning in FY 2024. The Blended Wing Body Next Generation Large Aircraft thrust was aligned to Project 640858 AFWERX Prime under this Program in FY 2023 and realigned to the Project 645351 Prototyping under Program 06040858F Tech Transition in FY 2024. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Technology Transfer capabilities. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2024
Source ID
0604009F_4_3600_PB_2024
Change Summary Explanation
FY 2023 funding increase of $170.860 million due to congressionally directed AFWERX PE. It includes funding for AFWERX Prime and Core Operations and Support. Funding was realigned from Programs 0604858F Tech Transition and 0604317F Technology Transfer.
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Cyber
  • Engineered Resilient Systems (Alumni COI)
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Bomber Aircraft
  • Climate Change Adaptation
  • Commercial Aircraft
  • Commercial Aviation
  • Computer Programs
  • Department Of Defense
  • Emerging Technology
  • Energy Consumption
  • Military Capabilities
  • Procurement
  • Product Development
  • Technology Transfer
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Transport Aircraft

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.

Technology Areas

  • Space

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