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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — An idea developed during a Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) hackathon is being developed into a broader spaceport capability through collaboration among Beast Code, AFWERX, SpaceWERX and U.S. Space Force operators.

Annual launch activity at the Eastern and Western ranges supported a combined 175 launch missions in 2025, a significant increase from a decade earlier. Projections indicate the combined launch tempo could reach 650 to 700 or more launches annually by 2035, or roughly 13 launches per week. The increased launch and booster-recovery tempo is prompting spaceport organizations to evaluate existing processes, infrastructure and software tools. Projected launch rates could require operations to be managed on a daily rather than monthly basis, creating requirements similar in some respects to those of an airport.

DataEX, developed by defense software company Beast Code, is intended to provide Guardians and Airmen with digital tools for planning, coordination and execution of spaceport activities. The application combines information from multiple systems, databases and mission sets into a common operating picture intended to help users access relevant information in an environment where conditions can change rapidly.

The effort began in April 2023, when Beast Code software developers participated in an inaugural hackathon at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Working with SLD 45 operators and innovation teams, the company developed an initial spaceport visualization concept focused on helping users plan and coordinate installation activities.

AFWERX and SpaceWERX subsequently selected Beast Code to support its Digital Spaceport of the Future initiative, which seeks to examine ways to integrate and automate spaceport operations as launch activity increases. Through two related Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contracts, Beast Code began developing the DataEX application and supporting data infrastructure to connect existing spaceport systems with cloud-based capabilities.

In October 2025, SpaceWERX awarded Beast Code a four-year, $15 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract to further develop the effort. Initial work focused on SLD 45 operations at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The effort is also being evaluated for potential application to other U.S. Space Force operations, including Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

According to Beast Code, the DataEX effort incorporates requirements identified through discussions with personnel from Spaceport Integration, now designated the 1st Space Launch Squadron, as well as the 45th Safety Squadron, 1st Range Operations Squadron, 45th Range Management and digital transformation offices. The company used those discussions to identify information and workflow requirements for the application.

DataEX is built on Beast Code’s software framework and is designed to bring information from multiple existing sources into a consolidated view without requiring wholesale changes to the systems that generate or transmit the underlying data. The application currently displays information including Star Gate launch schedule data, ground movements, safety zones, security roadblocks, construction zones, hazard areas and user-generated events. The information is intended to support situational awareness, planning, coordination and deconfliction among participating units.

The development of DataEX from a five-day hackathon prototype into a project supported through a STRATFI contract illustrates how operational requirements identified by users can inform the development and evaluation of emerging technology.

SpaceWERX works with industry, government organizations and military users to identify and develop technologies that may address U.S. Space Force requirements. The DataEX effort is one example of that process, moving from an initial concept to continued development and evaluation in an operational environment.

*Disclaimer: References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of War or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.

DAYTON, Ohio — Today’s military operations often require rapid access to information to support planning and decision-making. For U.S. Space Force analysts, locating relevant information across a vast number of sources and agencies can be time-consuming and may increase cognitive workload, potentially affecting mission planning and operational decisions.

As the volume and complexity of data continue to grow, identifying relevant information and synthesizing it into useful context has become an increasingly important operational challenge. Personnel supporting military operations often require timely access to information to assist with mission planning and execution.

To support this effort, SpaceWERX awarded Danti a contract to accelerate the development and transition of an artificial intelligence-powered, agentic intelligence platform intended to help Guardians discover, organize and analyze mission-relevant information.

In 2023, SpaceWERX awarded Danti a Direct-to-Phase II contract to build, test and refine the technology for potential operational transition. In 2024, Danti received a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) award to further develop and scale the technology for commercial applications.

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) used the Danti platform during the Trojan Footprint 2026 exercise. Ground advisers used the platform to provide unclassified, space-enabled responses to critical requests for information from Georgian Special Operations Command (GSOC) operators executing tasks in the field.

According to Danti, the platform enables users to search data using natural language rather than complex search syntax. The technology is intended to interpret the context of a user’s question, automate search, retrieval and analysis tasks, and provides responses that include source attribution.

The platform is designed to integrate information from multiple data sources, including commercial providers and government agencies, into a single search experience. According to the company, this approach can help users locate geospatial information, imagery and other operational data more efficiently.

The platform is intended to reduce the time and expertise required to search across multiple datasets, allowing personnel to focus more on analysis and mission support. According to Danti, the technology can support workflows such as correlating space-based imagery and signals with publicly available news and social media content and automating portions of the reporting process.

The platform’s AI-enabled search and workflow capabilities are also designed to help users identify relationships among data that may be difficult to detect through manual search processes. Faster access to relevant information may support planning and decision-making in dynamic operational environments.

As the U.S. Space Force continues to modernize its digital capabilities, the service is evaluating technologies intended to improve data accessibility and operational efficiency. Through collaboration with commercial companies, the service can assess emerging technologies that address evolving operational needs.

This collaboration provides the Space Force an opportunity to evaluate how commercial AI technology may help Guardians transform large volumes of mission data into information that could support operational decision-making.

*Disclaimer: References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of War or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.

 

DAYTON, Ohio — Fuel distribution remains a significant logistical challenge for military operations in contested and remote environments. Conventional fuel supply chains often rely on transportation routes, large storage infrastructure and frequent resupply missions that can increase operational risk, limit mission endurance and place additional demands on personnel.

AFWERX awarded AIRCO, a carbon-conversion technology company, a $15 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract to continue development of its Mobile, Adaptable and Deployable (MAD) Fuel System.

AFWERX’s STRATFI award is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which provides funding to small businesses developing technologies with potential applications for the Department of the Air Force and the Department of Defense.

The technology is a containerized platform designed to produce synthetic jet fuel or diesel fuel at or near the point of use. According to the company, the system captures carbon dioxide and produces hydrogen from locally available sources, converting them into liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

The approach is intended to reduce reliance on traditional fuel delivery methods.

If development and testing are successful, the system could provide another option for fuel production during expeditionary operations. It could allow units operating in remote or dispersed locations to produce fuel closer to the point of use, rather than relying solely on fuel transported from established supply hubs.

The technology also is being considered in connection with  Agile Combat Employment concepts, which emphasize the ability to operate from distributed locations.

Other Department of Defense organizations involved in the continued development of the fuel system include the Defense Logistics Agency, the Air Force Petroleum Office and the 12th Air Task Force. Planned next steps include fuel qualification activities and support for AIRCO’s planned commercial demonstration plant.

Distributed logistics remains a key component of Department of the Air Force operational planning for contested environments. Technology could potentially increase operational flexibility and reduce logistical demands in austere locations.

AIRCO’s work demonstrates how AFWERX can help advance emerging technologies from development toward potential operational applications. Through collaboration with industry and investment in innovative solutions, AFWERX helps address technology challenges that could affect future warfighter capabilities.

*Disclaimer: References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of War or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.