News & Success Stories

2023 was a historic year for AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and a directorate within Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. AFWERX brings cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. (U.S. Air Force video by Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs)

MORAINE, Ohio – AFWERX Spark and other Department of the Air Force innovators gathered Nov. 14-16 in Moraine, Ohio, to create a curriculum for teaching Airmen and Guardians who want to effectively pitch innovative ideas to high-ranking military officers and civilians.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) – AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is accepting applications for its upcoming spring Traditional Fellowship Program through Jan. 5.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) – AFWERX is partnering with NASA to develop a digital operations center for future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) efforts through the Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) awardee, ResilienX.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The BETA Technologies Alia aircraft lifted off for its first official test flight here Nov. 7, 2023.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AFRL) – Aerospace engineering students from Ohio State University were invited to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, Ohio, to learn about AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, and Advanced Air Mobility Nov. 7, 2023.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Autonomy, Data, and AI Experimentation Proving Ground hosted its first autonomy developer for a week of testing here Oct. 23-27.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - AFWERX had a very busy week here Oct. 23 - 27 with engagements, a few firsts, and a new aircraft arrival among the highlights. The week began with more than 200 AFWERX employees descending on the Emerald Coast for their fall program management review. The goal of the event was to bring this full-remote Air Force organization together for in-person engagements and provide employees an opportunity to connect face-to-face.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFRL) – AFWERX Airmen and several local media outlets gathered at Duke Field on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to witness one of the quietest Air Force aircraft flyovers ever. BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company and AFWERX Prime division partner, made several low passes in its ALIA electric aircraft as the audience celebrated its delivery to the Air Force Oct. 26, 2023.