Skip to content
Aircraft — Space — Weapons — Technology — Defense — Security — Satellite — Dod — Air force

Innovation Boost Ahead: CCA Points Pave the Path, According to Board Sentiment

Pentagon-Recommended Strategies for Bridging the Tech Commercialization Gap, as per Defense Innovation Board, highlight Air Force's accomplishments.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
Pentagon advised to support businesses in overcoming the "Valley of Death" gap, as demonstrated by...
Pentagon advised to support businesses in overcoming the "Valley of Death" gap, as demonstrated by Air Force achievements.

Innovation Boost Ahead: CCA Points Pave the Path, According to Board Sentiment

Fresh Perspective on Defense Innovation:

The Defense Innovation Board (DIB), a powerful committee that includes big names like Mike Bloomberg and Mac Thornberry, is all about shaking up the military tech game. They've just dropped a heap of suggestions to help the Pentagon become more vibrant and tech-savvy.

Their key focus areas are investments, management, and culture. They're pushing for the DoD to make bigger bets, a la Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and want them to field five to ten groundbreaking capabilities by 2027.

AFRL kicked off its Vanguard initiative in 2020, pouring serious cash into three top-notch projects like Skyborg, Navigation Technology Satellite-3, and Golden Horde. Skyborg, now a program of record, is a game-changer when it comes to AI-controlled unmanned aircraft. The Air Force's been beefing up funding for Vanguard, shelling out over $255 million in 2024 alone.

In terms of small business innovation, the DIB suggests a different approach to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Instead of a constant cycle of awards, they're proposing "Oasis Funds" for companies to make the jump from prototype to production. AFWERX, the Air Force's innovation powerhouse, has been spearheading this new approach.

However, the DIB also flagged the need for AFWERX to wield more freedom to back non-traditional firms. They believe that formalizing AFWERX as the investment acquisition authority would help push the envelope and scale innovation. Yet, coordination and integration remain issues across the Pentagon.

To streamline the innovation ecosystem, the DIB suggests integrating various arms like the Air Force Research Library and AFWERX under the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). They also want the DOD to streamline contracting and speed up security clearances for innovative companies.

All in all, the DIB's recommendations aim to create a more agile, risk-embracing, and tech-forward DoD. Keep an eye on those Air Force innovations like Skyborg, as they might just revolutionize our skies!

  1. The Defense Innovation Board (DIB) has suggested establishing "Oasis Funds" to help small businesses transition from prototypes to production, similar to AFWERX's current approach.
  2. The DIB has proposed that AFWERX should have more freedom to invest in non-traditional firms, potentially formalizing it as the Defense Department's investment acquisition authority.
  3. The DIB recommends integrating entities like the Air Force Research Library and AFWERX under the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), aiming to streamline the innovation ecosystem within the Department of Defense (DoD).
  4. One of the key areas the DIB has focused on is streamlining contracting and speeding up security clearances for innovative companies, which are vital for the growth of the Defense Department's technology sector.
  5. Skyborg, a program of record that focuses on AI-controlled unmanned aircraft, is one of the groundbreaking capabilities the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) hopes to field by 2027, thanks to the increased funding through the Vanguard initiative.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest