Technology Transfer

Abstract

Technology Transfer is a critical strategy for the NDS and DoD that makes the best possible use of national scientific, technical resources and information to enhance the effectiveness of DoD forces and warfighting capability systems. The Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition (T3) program oversees all Air Force inventions/patents and technology transfer agreements (CRADAs, EPAs, CTAs, MTAs, etc). Over their history, Tech Transfer has provided a great return on investment (over 100 to 1), as the agreements themselves do not provide DoD funding to companies/non-traditionals, but serve as a way for us to partner together to achieve a common goal. The only major costs to increasing this force multiplier are staff and legal support times (they are not contracts). Since 2012 the Air Force Tech Transfer & Transition Program Office manages two OSD level Partnership Intermediaries (PIAs) in TechLink & Miltech (Montana State University) as well as helps SAF/AQR in the management and oversight of the 14 AF PIAs (as of FY23). The 646003 project includes the management of DoD/AF PIAs, the development of data to support the Defense Technology Transfer Information System (DTTIS), invention disclosure & patent processing, program management activities, training, and support to the Technology Executive Officer (TEO). This program impacts virtually all technology fields, including our Critical Technology Areas, and non-funded mechanisms to help achieve the operational imperatives via Tech Transfer as captured in the Annual DoD Technology Transfer Report. The AFWERX mission is to accelerate agile and affordable capability transitions 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. 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 program element may include necessary expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities to manage, execute, and deliver science and technology capabilities. Beginning in FY 2024, PE 0604317F, Technology Transfer, Project 646030, AFWERX efforts and Project 64317A, Technology Transfer Add were transferred to PE 0604009F, AFWERX Prime, Project 640856 AFWERX Operations and Support. 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0604317F_4_3600_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: The decrease in FY 2025 is due to the transfer of funding from PE 0604317F, Projects 63417A Technology Transfer Add and 646030 AFWERX, to PE 0604009F AFWERX Prime, Project 640856 AFWERX Operations and Support.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

• Defense Technology Research and Development.
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.