March 12, 2023 3D printed parts for the C-5M deliver new capabilities Maintainers and engineers from the C-5 System Program Office began to incorporate 3D-printed parts in C-5M Super Galaxy maintenance last month.
March 8, 2023 Spark Tank 2023 finalists take center stage at AFA Warfare Symposium Six Spark Tank finalist teams presented their ideas at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Warfare Symposium.
Feb. 21, 2023 Voting open now for Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2023 finalists Airmen and Guardians may now vote for one of the top six selected ideas in Spark Tank, the Department of the Air Force’s capstone innovation campaign.
Feb. 16, 2023 Vice Chief’s Challenge calls Airmen to operationalize Agile Combat Employment The goal of the DAF 2023 Vice Chief's Challenge is to find innovative responses to challenges affecting Agile Combat Employment.
Feb. 2, 2023 53rd Wing’s MUSTANGS: the future of agile data capture and ACE capability Part of the Crowd-Sourced Flight Data program, MUSTANGS is a mobile vehicle that can download, process, and offload important data from Quick Reaction Instrumentation Package-equipped aircraft without the need for fixed, operational test infrastructure.
Jan. 31, 2023 Department of the Air Force to conduct hackathon The Air Force will conduct its next “BRAVO” hackathon in March, and any U.S. citizen may apply.
Jan. 29, 2023 Innovation Industry Days 2023 fosters partnerships, delivers solutions to I&MS challenges More than 2,000 small business, academic and government officials gathered Jan. 24-26 in San Antonio for Innovation Industry Days.
Jan. 23, 2023 US Air Force selects Howard University for science research partnership The Air Force has selected Howard University to lead a university affiliated research center.
Jan. 21, 2023 Yokota AB aids Space Systems Command in historic US-Japan space partnership The 374th Mission Support Group and 730th Air Mobility Squadron assisted the USSF Space Systems Command to deliver the first of two payloads on Japan’s Geo-based Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, Jan. 17.
Jan. 14, 2023 AFMC releases 2023 Strategic Plan The AFMC plan directly aligns to the seven DAF Operational Imperatives and focuses on critical organize, train and equip functions and capabilities delivered through an integrated center construct across the materiel lifecycle.
Jan. 9, 2023 ABMS moves forward on cloud-based C2 The DAF’s Advanced Battle Management System program awarded a $112 million contract to Science Applications International Corporation as the ABMS cloud-based command and control software integrator.
Dec. 19, 2022 AFRL launches wearable biomolecular sensors program for DoD, transfers technology to Sensate Biosystems The Air Force Research Laboratory has partnered with the Nano Bio-Materials Consortium and Case Western Reserve University to create wearable sensors that measure biomarkers in Airmen and Guardians.
Dec. 6, 2022 Aerodynamic technologies for mobility aircraft promise high return on investment As part of its effort to increase readiness and capability, the Air Force is working to introduce aerodynamic technologies on mobility aircraft to improve airflow, reduce maintenance issues, increase payload capability, and decrease fuel demand.
Dec. 5, 2022 AFCENT’s innovation Task Force 99 establishes ops, HQ Less than two months following the establishment of Task Force 99, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, visited the team at their new location for a peek behind the curtain of the command’s innovation powerhouse Dec. 1.
Dec. 4, 2022 AFGSC takes next steps in making Air Force’s first hypersonic weapon Barksdale AFB personnel have successfully taken the first steps toward implementing the Air Force’s first air-launched hypersonic weapon. The Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, is scheduled to be operational as early as fall 2023.
Dec. 3, 2022 New 'Spirit Realm’ B-2 Spirit software factory keeps fleet operational — enabling combat relevancy for years to come A new software factory using the Department of Defense reference design has pushed the aircraft’s evolution further forward.
Nov. 25, 2022 Air, Space Forces transition to AFWERX 3.0 AFWERX will release a series of new initiatives in support of its 3.0 evolution. Air and Space Force leaders will detail new opportunities for stakeholder engagement during a live broadcast Dec. 14.
Nov. 19, 2022 Airmen innovate, ensure HH-60W’s first deployment A team of 41st Rescue Squadron and Rescue Generation Squadron Airmen overcame a shortfall with an innovative solution, ensuring the HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft's first deployment.
Nov. 12, 2022 Missile wings conduct remote code change with ICU II The 90th, 91st and 341st Missile Wings have begun the process of converting their missile alert and launch facilities to ICU II, a system that allows for a remote code change – and will save the Air Force millions of dollars in resources and labor hours.
Nov. 9, 2022 Autonomous aircraft testing arrives at Eglin AFB The 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB took possession of the first of two government-owned Kratos XQ‑58A Valkyrie, a low-cost, high-performance uncrewed air vehicle.
Nov. 5, 2022 Project Arc team works to make technical Airmen more operationally relevant Project Arc, one of the latest groups aiming to empower Airmen, is working to make technical Airmen more operationally relevant across the Air Force.
Nov. 2, 2022 McConnell AFB completes KC-46 flight with limited crew The 22nd Air Refueling Wing flew a KC-46A Pegasus without a copilot to validate procedures for operating with a limited aircrew for certain potential high-end combat scenarios.
Oct. 31, 2022 DAF-MIT AI Accelerator tackles challenge of cultivating, growing world-class AI workforce This month, the Department of the Air Force-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator commenced their Lead AI pilot.
Oct. 27, 2022 386th AEW stands up satellite innovation cell The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing stood up Task Force 99.M, the first satellite innovation cell under U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s Task Force 99 at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
Oct. 21, 2022 Commentary: Lessons from our past – Claire Chennault on Agile Combat Employment As the Air Force leans into Agile Combat Employment, lessons can be learned from Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers and how they operated in China during WWII.
Oct. 17, 2022 1st FW: removing barriers, conquering challenges, always innovating The 1st Fighter Wing developed a team to transform its Airmen’s innovative ideas into reality. The team became known as the innovation cell and is responsible for improving the 1st FW, one Airman at a time.
Oct. 4, 2022 36th EWS conceptualize Reclamation of Electronic Attack Pods program The 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron used their skills and ingenuity to conceptualize the Reclamation of Electronic Attack Pods program for ALQ-184 and ALQ-131 Electronic Attack Pods.
Oct. 2, 2022 AFTC kicks off new digital engineering efforts The office will focus on creating a digital governance structure and facilitate on-going and new digital acquisition transformation activities across the enterprise.
Sept. 28, 2022 Operational Test Airman builds radar range, sets standard for Air Force innovation An Operational Test imagery analyst at the 410th Test and Evaluation Squadron built an entire range of radar targets used to test the accuracy of U-2 and RQ-4 Global Hawk sensors.
Sept. 23, 2022 AF Week in Photos This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
Sept. 20, 2022 AFCENT commander conducts first round of regional partner engagements Building relationships within the force and with allies and partners, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, travelled across the USCENTCOM AOR to meet with U.S. embassy, coalition, regional, and U.S. military leaders.
Sept. 16, 2022 AF Week in Photos This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
Sept. 12, 2022 Virtual event kicks off Digital Agents of Change campaign The Department of the Air Force Digital Transformation Office has launched a new initiative to recognize individuals across the enterprise who are driving change in the digital domain.
Sept. 7, 2022 Airman accelerates change through persistence, develops tool for RPAs Master Sgt. Bridget Carroll reduced cargo taken on an MQ-1 Predator alert package with the creation of a “bird-in-a-box” later known as the Digital Aircraft Link Emulator, or DALE.
Sept. 7, 2022 AGR program changes on the horizon Air Force Reserve Command is instituting changes to the Active Guard and Reserve program effective Oct. 1.
Sept. 3, 2022 Joint Battle Labs assess DARPA program, reduce joint-fires execution time In partnership with the Army and Air Force, ASTARTE is a DARPA-sponsored program designed to enable efficient and effective airspace operations and deconfliction in a highly congested battlespace.
Aug. 24, 2022 Airman’s innovation saves time, money One 100th Maintenance Squadron Airman has invented a new boom cover tool that has the potential to save the U.S. Air Force 40,000 man-hours and approximately $1 million per year.
Aug. 24, 2022 Grey Wolf flies with all-Air Force crew for first time The MH-139A Grey Wolf flies its first sortie since the Air Force took over ownership of the aircraft Aug. 12. It marked the first all-Air Force personnel flight in the Air Force’s newest helicopter.
Aug. 15, 2022 In assessing his first year, Kendall sees achievement but many challenges ahead Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall reflects on his first year on the job.
Aug. 1, 2022 AFA legends weave together past, present, future Former Air Force leaders visited Nellis Air Force Base to connect Airmen and Guardians with their living heritage as well as to provide mentorship, advice and encouragement to those currently serving in uniform during the the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air Force 75th Anniversary Legends
July 28, 2022 CSAF visits Shaw AFB During the visit, Brown discussed modernization, innovation, and Airmen initiatives related to efforts in the strategic plan Accelerate Change or Lose and the associated Action Orders.
July 27, 2022 Keeping civilians in fighting shape The Civilian Health Promotion Services was established in the Air Force Materiel Command to keep its civilian Airmen as fit as their active-duty counterparts. Its success has led to its recent expansion CONUS-wide.
July 23, 2022 GearFit shortens feedback loop A new application called GearFit is giving Airmen a direct line to share feedback on fitment and utility of the gear they wear to perform their missions.
July 17, 2022 How drones will transform battlefield medicine, save lives The use of drones for future near-peer conflicts is starting to filter down into the operational forces as a potential solution in the near term.
July 14, 2022 New flight milestone in Hexa testing The test was an important first step toward the incorporating the LIFT Hexa, an electric, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, into operations at a controlled military airfield.
July 7, 2022 New technologies drive Tyndall AFB’s ‘Installation of the Future’ rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base has been on a continuous innovation journey to become the Installation of the Future since Hurricane Michael devastated the installation in 2018.
July 6, 2022 Richardson: Teamwork, collaboration key to AFMC success The AFMC change of command ceremony was more than just an opportunity to welcome Gen. Duke Z. Richardson to the organizational helm; it was also a homecoming for the new commander who has spent nearly half of his career as part of the enterprise.
June 27, 2022 DAF seeking science research partnerships with HBCUs DAF is working with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to create the first University Affiliated Research Center led by a Historically Black College or University.
June 26, 2022 New BLOS capability on the horizon for B-52s, first IRIS air demo complete The Air Force has moved one step closer to equipping B-52s with a new capability called IRIS. The 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron executed the first air demonstration utilizing the BLOS communication system paired with an Iridium Certus terminal on a B-52 Stratofortress.
June 25, 2022 Air Force selects future aircrew helmet The helmet prototype was chosen after Air Combat Command initiated the search for a next-generation helmet to address issues with long-term neck and back injuries, optimize aircraft technology, improve pilot longevity, and provide better fitment to diverse aircrews.
June 22, 2022 Airmen and Guardians can learn anytime, anywhere, on any device with myLearning username and password Beginning June 23, Total Force Airmen and Guardians will have the capability to learn anywhere, anytime, and on any device, with the help of a myLearning username and password.
June 22, 2022 AFMC releases $8 million towards accelerating change, innovation The funded projects support ongoing AFMC We Need efforts with an emphasis on technology, innovation, talent management and infrastructure across the mission.
June 13, 2022 Air Force, Space Force hackathon applications close June 21 A hackathon is an innovation and software development event commonly employed by technology companies, in which teams self-form and urgently develop working prototypes that are later presented to senior leaders.
June 5, 2022 ShOC-N battle lab hosts distributed command and control event The 805th Combat Training Squadron’s Shadow Operations Center - Nellis is the U.S. Air Force’s premier battle lab supporting the development, advancement, and maturation of key technologies and capabilities designed to compress the kill-chain for joint and coalition warfighters.
May 29, 2022 ‘FORCECON 2022’ spurs collaboration, innovation for Air Force, industry, academia FORCECON 2022 is an interactive industry and academia collider event where participants can connect with industry and small business advisors.
May 26, 2022 ‘Power of partnerships’: Austin gives commencement speech to AF Academy’s Class of 2022 Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III gave the commencement speech for the Class of 2022 at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony in Falcon Stadium May 25.
May 25, 2022 AETC Det. 23 ‘rebrands’ to transform 21st century Air Force learning and readiness The detachment’s focus will be on completing the building and fielding of a force development-focused data engine using the latest technologies.
May 21, 2022 DoD’s largest annual IT, cyberpower event resumes in-person attendance Over the last two years, the Department of the Air Force IT and Cyberpower Education and Training Event was held virtually due to the pandemic. This year the event returns from its virtual home to its physical home in Montgomery, Aug. 29-31.
May 18, 2022 Future of nursing: Telehealth, more innovation, maybe some robots The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has fast-tracked many changes to the Military Health System and forced all providers - especially nurses - to innovate at near-quantum speed with agility and flexibility.
May 14, 2022 Record construction contract awarded for F-35 facilities at Tyndall AFB Accounting for contingencies and contract oversight, this represents a $604 million investment in the #BuildTyndallStrong effort and is the single largest military construction contract on record in the Air Force database, which dates to 2008.
May 6, 2022 AF Week in Photos This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
May 6, 2022 Revised ‘Brown, Blue Book’ released Tradition and heritage are themes found within the revamped foundational guides for Airmen to emulate throughout their career.
April 29, 2022 AFRL technology makes new weapon for sinking ships a reality The Air Force Research Laboratory and Eglin Air Force Base’s Integrated Test Team demonstrated a new low-cost, air-delivered capability for defeating maritime threats that successfully destroyed a full-scale stationary surface vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.
April 26, 2022 AFRL altitude chambers hit rare 50,000-foot mark for manned research There’s only one place to find them in all the Department of Defense, and that’s at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
April 25, 2022 Countering small unmanned aircraft takes a team Keeping military installations safe from threat is a partnership. As lead command for the Air Force Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems effort, Headquarters, Air Force Materiel Command, has established a symbiotic relationship between two of its directorates to accomplish the mission.
April 18, 2022 Spark Tank idea comes to life through AFRL engineers Two 711th Human Performance Wing teams created a prototype of a more efficient workstation for clinicians to use in austere environments to significantly improve patient care.
April 3, 2022 Thinking outside the mailbox: Robins AFB first base to get Intelligent Lockers Robins Air Force Base held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its recently installed Intelligent Lockers, giving the Airmen at the dormitories a centralized location to receive their packages after hours.
March 30, 2022 Acquisition Instructor Course updates provide Airmen with opportunities to innovate, collaborate Acquisition Instructor Course program mission is to train highly skilled acquisition instructors and leaders in tactical and strategic knowledge to meet the operational needs of tomorrow’s multi‐domain battlespace.
March 29, 2022 On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, AFMS celebrates aeromedical's role While more than 58,000 Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, Air Force Medical Service improvements in aeromedical evacuation helped ensure wounded service members had a better chance for survival than ever before.
March 19, 2022 Ideas wanted for 2022 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo; at least $1M up for grabs The campaign, open through June 6, gives military and civilian members of the Department of the Air Force’s mission and installation support community a chance to win part of $1 million or more in funding and resources to pursue their ideas.
March 17, 2022 Empowered Airmen from 109th AW modernize LC-130 for future fight Propulsion specialists with the 109th Airlift Wing assembled the first Air National Guard-built T56 3.5 turbo engine. The modification is part of an Air Force initiative to update C-130 aircraft.
March 16, 2022 SNCO Academy’s enhanced curriculum development takes center stage during CSAF inaugural visit Air Force SNCOA students took the opportunity to share their enhanced curriculum development with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., during his visit to Gunter Annex.
March 15, 2022 AFWERX Agility Prime program, BETA Technologies make history with first Airman flight of electric aircraft This milestone, which took place at BETA’s Plattsburgh, New York, hangar and testing facility – just 35 miles from its South Burlington, Vermont, headquarters – is the culmination of a two-year partnership between BETA and the Agility Prime program.
March 4, 2022 ‘Project Arcwater’ reigns as 2022 Spark Tank winner “Project Arcwater,” is a simple, green, expedited way to save energy and provide drinking water by using solar fabric and environmental water harvesting in an agile combat employment.
Feb. 26, 2022 Air Force Operational Energy has breakthrough year The year 2021 proved to be a pivotal one for Air Force Operational Energy as programs received unprecedented support – enabling many long-hoped-for initiatives to get the greenlight and progress to the next stage of development.
Feb. 25, 2022 Kessel Run’s C2IMERA used during multinational exercise The Air Force recently used a Kessel Run application during Cope North 22, a multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, large force employment, and aerial combat training exercise Feb. 2-18.
Feb. 20, 2022 Military Service Award recipients named at 2022 BEYA STEM conference The latest Department of the Air Force Military Service Award recipients were named during the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics conference in Washington, D.C., Feb. 18, 2022.
Feb. 10, 2022 SparkX Cell accelerates change for JBA dental clinic SparkX Cell's Innovation and Idea Center and personnel at Joint Base Andrews teamed up to enhance installation readiness and resilience while accomplishing the mission.
Feb. 3, 2022 BRAVO 0 hackathon proves Air Force can develop weapons capabilities in under one week The Air Force concluded its first department-wide, secret classification innovation hackathon following six days of operations with more than 100 hackers, engineers, scientists and other supporting staff.
Feb. 1, 2022 Department of the Air Force launches pilot program to incentivize optimized flying As part of its effort to streamline operations and increase aircraft range and capability, the Department of the Air Force launched the pilot Mission Execution Excellence Program to incentivize optimized flying on aircraft that consume the most fuel across the enterprise.
Jan. 27, 2022 DAF announces Spark Tank ‘22 finalists As the Department’s flagship innovation event, Spark Tank plays a central role in establishing the Department’s strategic mindset for delivering future capabilities.
Jan. 26, 2022 AFGSC applies the Art of the Possible Based on a wealth of knowledge and experience from across the ranks of the Air Force, the Art of the Possible is a concept which standardizes a process, identifies a system’s constraints, and helps users manage their process optimally.
Jan. 25, 2022 AFICC oversees COVID-19 relief efforts as part of DAF ACT, awards contract for critical test kit materials The Air Force Installation Contracting Center is overseeing the execution of billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief, with a recent contract award providing critical materials used in the production of rapid, point-of-care COVID-19 test kits.
Jan. 21, 2022 AFWERX Agility Prime completes first USAF-piloted flight of an eVTOL vehicle with partner Kitty Hawk Capt. Terrence McKenna, an Air Force Reserve pilot with the 370th Flight Test Squadron and the Test and Experimentation Lead for AFWERX Agility Prime, participated in remote pilot in control, or rPIC, training on the Heaviside aircraft at the Kitty Hawk Corporation’s facility in Palo Alto,
Jan. 19, 2022 Aerial Networks Summit provides roadmaps for JADC2, ABMS The Aerial Networks Division hosted general officers and members of the senior executive service for a summit aimed at developing aerial networking roadmaps to meet Advanced Battle Management System and Joint All-Domain Command and Control objectives.
Jan. 6, 2022 Edison Grants empower researchers in uniform Edison Grants provide Air Force and Space Force uniformed personnel a year of funding for novel research experiments. The Edison Grants answer one of the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology Strategy’s objectives – to create a pipeline of technically-proficient Airmen – by encouraging
Dec. 28, 2021 Physician performs Air Force’s first airway stent procedure Maj. Derrell Nettlow, 81st Healthcare Operations Squadron pulmonary critical care physician, was called to perform the Air Force’s first airway stent procedure.
Dec. 15, 2021 Travis AFB Airman’s innovation saves Air Force $10M, potential to save more Airmen across the Air Force have been charged by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. to cut through the layers of bureaucracy and challenge the status quo to improve the Air Force’s decision-making timelines and processes.
Dec. 14, 2021 Air Force announces Spark Tank 2022 semifinalists A panel of nearly 30 subject matter experts from across the Department of the Air Force met Nov. 16, 2021 at the Basic Research Innovation and Collaboration Center in Arlington and via a virtual teleconferencing platform to conduct the Spark Tank 2022 quarterfinals.
Dec. 13, 2021 Keesler AFB dental, oncologists innovate radiation therapy tool for cancer patients The 81st Diagnostic and Therapeutic Squadron and the 81st Dental Squadron collaborated to craft a more precise radiation boluses for patients undergoing care with the 81st Medical Group.
Dec. 7, 2021 173rd Fighter Wing structural innovation helps keep aircraft aloft For years, structural maintainers have emerged as artisans of sorts, creating parts by hand, meticulously shaping them from custom wood forms and delicate hand-tool work.
Dec. 5, 2021 Robins AFB remote control aircraft tug creates safer work environment F-15 aircraft maintenance workers with the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC) have 10 TowFLEXX 5.4 (TF-5), low profile aircraft tugs to move the aircraft around hangars where traditional tugs can’t maneuver.
Nov. 19, 2021 TOC: enhancing readiness one task at a time Leadership from the 35th Maintenance Group realized this mentality was not practical, since it causes stress on personnel and delays essential maintenance. This is where the Theory of Constraints (TOC) concept comes into play.
Nov. 17, 2021 59th MDW: Alamo Spark Cell drives innovation throughout the Air Force The 59th Training Group’s Alamo Spark Cell focuses on improving training at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston
Nov. 16, 2021 Connecting Cyberspace and Airspace The Mission Defense Team is made up of a team of cyber and communication professionals designated to defend a specific aircraft, preventing adversaries from invading the airspace and manipulating aircraft data.
Nov. 8, 2021 FYSA: Agility Prime FYSA: Agility Prime explores electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicles and the revolutionary initiative partnering the military with eVTOL industry leaders.
Nov. 7, 2021 'Iron Man' upgrade on the horizon for Travis AFB maintainers, base eyes further innovation The technology allows Airmen to access expert knowledge, receive collaborative remote troubleshooting help and reference technical order guidance through interactive workflow tools, all through a heads-up and hands-free AR headset. Additionally, an AR hardware and software solution reduces the need
Nov. 3, 2021 AFRL’s Expeditionary Energy Campaign commences The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Transformational Capabilities Office launched the Expeditionary Energy Campaign to fund innovative energy technologies that offer needle-moving capability enhancements for the expeditionary warfighter.
Nov. 1, 2021 Innovative Agile Combat Employment training brings AMUs together at JBER The two-day training fostered the Agile Combat Employment fundamentals by teaching Airmen new aircraft maintenance skills to ensure capabilities in austere or degraded environments.
Oct. 27, 2021 AETC’s Detachment 62 leading Agility Prime’s training effort The Air Education and Training Command established Detachment 62 to create Agility Prime training and certification standards, and support multi-capable Airmen-operators.