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  • Air Force Chief Data Office announces first Datathon

    For the first Datathon, the Chief Data Office is teaming with AFWERX and the USAF-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator to focus on C-17 Globemaster III aircrew scheduling optimization.

  • ABMS moves ahead with second round of contract awards

    The goal of ABMS is to enable the Air Force and Space Force to operate together and as part of a joint team – connecting sensors, decision makers and weapons through a secure data network enabling rapid decision making and all-domain command and control

  • Tanker Directorate team installs ADS-B Out on KC-135 fleet

    The ADS-B Out program was established to upgrade the KC-135 fleet with the next-generation transponder system that is critical for air traffic control’s visibility into their respective airspace. The system broadcasts the precise position and location of aircraft in real time, giving air traffic

  • AFRS releases Aim High mobile app

    The Aim High app is a comprehensive, intuitive recruiting tool powered by a data-rich, enterprise solution that helps the Air Force find elite Airmen, as well as guides recruits to discover their passions through intuitive, interactive means.

  • AFCEC study gives new life to old chemical defense decon kits

    The Air Force Civil Engineer’s Readiness Lab recently determined more than 75,000 expired M295 decontamination kits used in chemical defense ensembles are still effective and can be used, saving the Air Force more than $2.3 million over a four-year period.

  • Energy project powers Hill AFB resiliency

    AFCEC, in collaboration with the Defense Logistics Agency–Energy, awarded the contract to Energy Systems Group, the energy service company, in April 2018, for upgrades to 258 buildings, totaling six million square feet by incorporating seven energy conservation measure upgrades.

  • Altus AFB innovation team design shared across service

    Due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid response actions were required to mitigate the spread of the virus to ensure safe mission contributions. AFWERX, a community of Air Force innovators who strive to connect Airmen to solutions, requested Spark Cell centers across the Air Force to

  • AFMC digital campaign aims to modernize, streamline life cycle process

    The goal of the campaign is to leverage modern digital capabilities to decrease the time it takes to move a weapon system from a concept into the hands of a warfighter, while providing the ability to adapt capabilities at speed to meet the requirements of today’s dynamic warfighting domain.

  • Black box sheds light on night vision challenges for aircrew students

    A collaborative effort of the 502nd Trainer Development Squadron and Air Education and Training Command Aerospace Physiology Lead Command, the unaided night vision trainer, also known as an NV light bar, demonstrates how dark adaptation and various types of lighting enhance unaided night vision.

  • AFIMSC analytics tool expands, helps leaders prioritize investments

    Developed and launched by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in August 2018, the Installation Health Assessment analytics platform was initially designed to forecast facility and infrastructure funding requirements for Air Force bases. By April

  • BLUE: Cyber in Contested Domain

    As America's adversaries evolve, the Air Force has to be ready to withstand a digital 'sucker punch'. To mitigate this threat, cybersecurity is being integrated into the development of all new programs from the start.

  • Travis AFB hosts virtual CSO event

    A CSO is a strategy used by the Department of Defense to acquire innovative commercial items, technologies or services that directly fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, or provide potential technological advances, according to a memorandum from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense.

  • World-unique tire testing capability saves millions for warfighters

    Predicting aircraft tire wear is a complex, time-intensive phenomenon, highly dependent on multiple variables. Historically, testers focused on the structural integrity of a tire prior to fielding and use. However, the ability to quickly and accurately predict tire wear remained a challenge across

  • Magellan mobility allocation planning app gets an upgrade

    Hosted on the Kessel Run platform, Magellan provides an electronic interface for operational planners to allocate mobility aircraft and their associated crews over several months, providing greater visibility and enabling them to de-conflict recurring missions and high-demand periods.

  • Vertical wiper blades reduce aircraft drag, tests show

    Across the KC-135 fleet, blades are positioned horizontally on the windshield as part of the aircraft’s original 1950s design. However, as the understanding of aviation aerodynamics advanced, research indicated placing the wipers vertically when not in use could improve aerodynamic efficiency and

  • AFIMSC geospatial tools help commanders manage COVID-19 risk

    Geospatial tools developed by the detachment’s GeoBase team are providing commanders with near real-time data detailing the spread of the disease in their areas of responsibility. Commanders are using this capability to make decisions to sustain mission readiness and help mitigate the threat of

  • Agility Prime to hold virtual launch event

    During the week of 27 April, Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, will officially launch Agility Prime, the Air Force program to accelerate the growth of the transformative vertical flight market for subsequent government use.

  • Travis AFB innovates PPE, helps DGMC fight spread of coronavirus

    David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center medics at Travis AFB contacted the base’s 60th Air Mobility Wing Phoenix Spark innovation cell, which quickly sprang into action prototyping and developing N95 mask covers and face shields for 3D printing to prolong the life cycle of certified N95 masks.

  • Airmen, volunteers at Altus AFB unite to create masks to fight COVID-19

    ​After Secretary of Defense Mark Esper released new guidance on the use of cloth face coverings on April 5, more than 45 Airmen and dependents from the 97th Air Mobility Wing volunteered to quickly create and distribute face masks throughout the wing April 6 at Altus Air Force Base.

  • 419th Fighter Wing hosts F-35 virtual field trip

    During the virtual field trip, Silkey provided an overview of the aircraft’s capabilities to his online audience to include details on its stealth technology and how it gives pilots a significant advantage on the battlefield.

  • AFRL team selected for Excellence in Tech Transfer Award

    Dr. Brian Simpson, 711 HPW sensory psychologist and one of the inventors of MMC along with Dr. James Kearns, 711 HPW program manager were selected for the successful technology transfer of MMC, which is a system invented to manage complex communication environments.

  • Keesler AFB ensures cyber training continues online

    With the threat of COVID-19 impacting the health and well-being of the technical school students in training on Keesler Air Force Base, leadership has had to develop creative solutions to a unique problem.

  • Scheduling training is about to get easier for C-17 crews

    The digital interface, which will start using live data March 20, enables planners to visualize flight schedules and generates recommended schedules for each crew member while taking into consideration required qualifications, crew rest and conflicting events.

  • Fairchild AFB Airmen create maintenance vehicle of the future

    The base leases utility vans to service aircraft on the flightline, which get replaced every 20 years once they have reached their end of life. These vans, however, have a stripped interior, with the exception of the driver and passenger seats, and come without insulation.

  • AFIMSC innovation project receives $3 million award

    The project uses drones and machine learning to revolutionize how the Air Force Civil Engineer Center collects data for its environmental mission. The initiative is powered by a partnership between AFIMSC, Air Force Innovation Hub Network (AFWERX) and Aerial Applications, a small business providing

  • Kessel Run brings new software to Vermont ANG aircraft maintainers

    In the course of two weeks, Kessel Run personnel started with zero Mad Hatter users from the Vermont ANG and grew to 78 user accounts at the 158th Maintenance Group. Airmen were able to recover, service and launch aircraft entirely using Mad Hatter applications, resulting in 10 successful sorties

  • Patriot Express to begin routine flights to and from Guam

    The Patriot Express, also known as the “Rotator” or “Cat B flight”, is a Department of Defense contracted commercial charter flight which provides international support to travelers on official duty and their families.

  • Two teams tie to win Spark Tank 2020

    For the first time, two teams tied to as winners of the Spark Tank 2020 competition at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Feb. 28.

  • AFMC recognizes 2019 Small Business annual award winners

    Air Force Materiel Command has announced the 2019 AFMC Small Business annual award winners. All of the winners and nominees evidenced a strong commitment to achieving mission needs with innovative small business solutions.

  • Voting for Spark Tank 2020 opens

    Spark Tank is an annual event in which Airmen pitch innovative ideas that build upon senior leader priorities to restore readiness, cost-effectively modernize and drive innovation.

  • AFLCMC Gunsmith Shop creates rifle for aircrew

    Known as the Aircrew Self Defense Weapon (GAU-5A), the 7-pound, 5.56 mm caliber rifle is based on the M4 carbine and was designed by the Gunsmith Shop in close coordination with the small-arms engineer to provide downed aircrew with additional firepower while they wait for rescue.

  • AFIMSC holds world-wide finance conference

    Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center's Financial Operations Division hosted their third annual Air Force Financial Operations Conference Feb. 11-13.

  • Air Force implements pathfinder program for cybersecurity certification

    The Security+ certification can be acquired through passing the Security+ exam and is necessary to validate that an individual possesses the necessary skills to perform in an information technology security-based career. The exam is known to be complex and difficult and many Airmen fail and lose

  • Child care app wins AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo

    Maj. Jacque Vasta, executive officer for Air Force Materiel Command’s deputy commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, will receive a share of $1 million in funding from AFIMSC to develop her idea for potential implementation across the Air Force and Department of Defense.

  • Rescue dogs help heal wounded warriors

    The Office of the Warrior Advocate is a first-of-its-kind organization that was founded by two wounded warriors that saw a need. It is in that same spirit of seeing needs and answering the call that service dogs are becoming part of Offutt’s landscape and cultural norms.

  • Door opener adds lethality for K9 unit

    The 96th Security Forces Squadron modified a military working dog squad car last summer with a safety feature that protects both the dog handler and their canine companion while out on patrol.

  • Air Force partners with Google to improve IT security

    The effort covers three areas: Network-as-a-Service, End User Services and Compute and Store, and consists of technical assessments to determine if alternative solutions can meet unique Air Force requirements.

  • PMEL introduces a safer, efficient way of teaching

    A new virtual reality training experience, introduced by the 335th Training Squadron, is designed to allow students of the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory career field to train as if they are in a working environment.

  • AETC, AMC team up on VR solutions for modern C-130 training

    Headquarters Air Force, Air Mobility Command, and Air Education and Training Command have been working on a virtual-reality platform for maintenance training through Mass Virtual, a contractor that scans real-world objects to create virtual environments.

  • DoD innovation units join forces to engage small business

    Over the past few months, AFWERX, Army Futures Command, NavalX, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Innovation Network have joined forces to make this experimental concept an interagency initiative to bridge the gap between startups, small businesses and government.

  • AFMC seeks innovative ideas through IdeaScale Campaign

    Airmen and civilians from across the enterprise are invited to submit innovative ideas and solutions to improve the AFMC mission through the Air Force Ideation Platform, or IdeaScale, now through September 2020.

  • AFIMSC announces 2020 Innovation Rodeo finalists

    Eight finalists for the 2020 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo were selected out of 143 submissions and nearly 2,000 online votes to compete for a share of $1 million in funding and resources to implement their ideas.

  • Air Force announces Spark Tank 2020 selectees

    Spark Tank also offers Airmen the opportunity to get their ideas in front of key enabling agencies that can share expertise and resources such as funding or personnel for the projects being presented and demonstrate pathways for intrapreneurs to make their initiatives successful.

  • Air Force sets foundation for energy optimization, lethality

    As 2020 approaches and the Air Force prepares to take on the challenges of the next decade, we must also review our successes and lessons learned from the last year. For Air Force Operational Energy, 2019 was a year for laying the foundation to build a more optimized and lethal force in the years to

  • F-16 downs drone during cruise missile defense testing

    The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron shot down a subscale drone using an AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rocket Dec. 19, providing a proof of concept for using rockets queued from an F-16 Fighting Falcon targeting pod as viable munitions to perform cruise missile defense.

  • AFGSC names 2020 Spark Tank finalists

    Air Force Spark Tank is an open call for Airmen to bring forward their best ideas that build upon senior leader priorities to restore readiness, cost-effectively modernize and drive innovation.

  • First virtual pitch day contract awarded

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa A8I Operational Innovation Branch and the 764th Enterprising Solutions Squadron awarded their first virtual Pitch Day contract, Dec. 13.

  • Florida resilience chief gets look at Tyndall AFB rebuild

    The Tyndall Air Force Base leadership team briefed Dr. Julia Nesheiwat on the current state of the installation and the commitment to incorporate resiliency, innovation and technology as main components of the rebuild plans.

  • AETC Learning Wi-Fi Service begins roll out across command

    In an effort to expand learning opportunities for Airmen and enable training and education from any device, Air Education and Training Command has begun the Learning Wi-Fi Service project to install commercial wireless internet across the command’s installations.

  • Faculty development takes evolutionary steps in classroom

    The 82nd Training Wing Faculty Development Flight’s Basic Instructor Course is heading down a path where students are able to collaborate in an evolutionary educational workspace. They are building on the concept of modernizing the training environment at Sheppard AFB, with the hope of seeing this

  • Project NEXUS: Empowering the USAF’s digital talent

    Designed by the AETC technology integration detachment and hosted by the AFWERX-Austin hub, the beta test program was designed to fuel organic technology problem solving efforts for Airmen in their day-to-day workplaces.

  • AFIMSC announces topics for I-WEPTAC 2020

    The topics have been selected for the Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference 2020, and the chairpersons will be on board this month. What remains is determining who will fill the ranks of the four Mission Area Working Groups charged with tackling some of the Air Force’s

  • AETC announces 2020 Spark Tank winner

    The 381st Training Group’s idea to transform low-fidelity training into a student-centered, solid foundation for space warfighters and Air University’s “give makerspace” idea that enables creative, innovative Airmen to devise solutions in a dedicated makerspace by providing physical space to work

  • AFIMSC seeks ideas for Innovation Rodeo

    The campaign, open through Dec. 15, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups worldwide a chance to win part of $1 million in funding and resources to implement their ideas.

  • University students help JSTARS innovate scheduling

    Operators of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System are teaming up with Mercer University’s computer science department in Macon, Georgia, to advance an antiquated software system.