Spark drives an innovative culture by connecting diverse, inventive individuals, guiding Airmen and Guardians from problem identification to sustained solutions, and accelerating impact by transitioning promising technologies into operational capabilities through rapid market research, streamlined compliance, and direct fielding support.

• Project Arc: Engineers are deployed to and embedded in operational units across 64 locations after going through training, exercises, certification, and eventual deployment, enhancing the operational readiness and technological capabilities of the Air Force.
• Refinery: Spark’s “Innovation Accelerator” equips Airman and Guardian innovators with tools and resources they need to push grassroots projects through the “frozen middle” and into operational use.
• Combat Innovation: Accelerates problem-solving at the operational edge by connecting Airmen, Guardians, and mission partners. It includes three core efforts:
  • Spark Cells: Base-embedded maker spaces that empower personnel to prototype and transition solutions locally.
  • Combat Labs (CoLabs): Deployable innovation platforms that bring prototyping capabilities to austere and operational environments.
  • The Guild: A collaborative wargaming and hackathon initiative that tests emerging technologies and tactics in realistic scenarios, building networks and rapidly converting field-driven ideas into operational capability.
• Challenges: The AFWERX Challenge program empowers the U.S. Air Force and Space Force to discover and develop innovative solutions to complex problems at an accelerated pace, playing an important role in deterring conflict and ensuring our nation’s security.