{{Short description|American military technology incubator}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox government agency | agency_name = AFWERX | logo = | logo_caption = | formed = July 21, 2017 | preceding1 = | jurisdiction = United States Department of the Air Force | headquarters = Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, U.S. | employees = 370 | budget = $1.4 billion (annual) | minister1_name = | minister1_pfo = | chief1_name = Col. Nathan C. Stuckey | chief1_position = Director and Chief Commercialization Officer | parent_agency = Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) | child1_agency = SpaceWERX | child2_agency = AFVentures | child3_agency = | child4_agency = | website = {{URL|afwerx.com}} }}
'''AFWERX''' is a technology incubator and innovation arm of the United States Department of the Air Force, operating as a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Established in 2017, its purpose is to accelerate the transition of technologies from small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors into operational use by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force.
AFWERX primarily administers the Department of the Air Force's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. As of 2026, it has awarded approximately 10,400 contracts worth more than US$7.24 billion to startups and small businesses in the United States.
== History == AFWERX was announced by Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson on July 21, 2017, during a visit to Nellis Air Force Base.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFWERX - A platform for solutions to further strengthen our Air Force |url=https://afwerxchallenge.com/page/312 |website=afwerxchallenge.com |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> It was modeled in part on SOFWERX, a similar initiative established by United States Special Operations Command in 2016. It was initially supported through a partnership intermediary agreement with DefenseWerx (formerly the Doolittle Institute), a nonprofit based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berkenstock |first1=Dan |title=Legal Origins of the Strategic Funding Increase Program |url=https://law.stanford.edu/2025/08/22/legal-origins-of-the-strategic-funding-increase-program/ |website=Stanford Law School |publisher=Stanford Space Law Society |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=en |date=22 August 2025}}</ref> Initial hubs were established in Las Vegas and Arlington, Virginia.
In 2021, AFWERX underwent a significant restructuring, consolidating five previously separate Department of the Air Force innovation programs under a single organization: SpaceWERX, the Air Force SBIR/STTR program, AFVentures, Spark (formerly AFWERX 1.0), and Prime (formerly Agility Prime).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Milligan |first1=Katie |last2=Tresslar |first2=Tim |title=Air, Space Forces transition to AFWERX 3.0 |url=https://www.jbsa.mil/News/News/Article/3229114/air-space-forces-transition-to-afwerx-30/ |publisher=Joint Base San Antonio |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> At the same time, AFWERX was formally aligned as a directorate under AFRL, while retaining reporting responsibilities to the Service Acquisition Executive. A further reorganization, referred to internally as AFWERX 3.0, was announced in late 2022, adding classified contracting capabilities and expanding the organization's contracting and civilian workforce.
== Organization == AFWERX operates as a directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As of 2024, it employs approximately 370 military, civilian, and contractor personnel across five hubs and sites, and executes an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us - AFWERX |url=https://afwerx.com/about-us/ |website=afwerx.com |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=26 August 2025}}</ref> Its subordinate elements include:
AFVentures manages most SBIR/STTR contracting activity and administers the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) bridge-funding programs. STRATFI awards range from $3 million to $15 million; TACFI awards range from $375,000 to $2 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Machi |first1=Vivienne |title=Air Force Accelerating Acquisition with AFWERX |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2018/4/27/air-force-accelerating--acquisition-with-afwerx |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=National Defense Magazine |date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> Both require matching funds from government or private investors.<ref>{{cite web |title=SBTC Comments on AFWERX Working Paper and AF Ventures Year in Review |url=https://sbtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SBTC-Comments-on-AFWERX-Papers.pdf |publisher=Small Business Technology Council |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref>
Spark supports grassroots innovation by Air Force and Space Force personnel, including the annual Spark Tank competition in which Airmen and Guardians pitch ideas to senior leadership. Prime works with industry partners to scale dual-use technologies toward full production. SpaceWERX is the space-focused division of AFWERX, aligned with the United States Space Force.
=== Funding and activities === AFWERX administers SBIR and STTR contracts across three phases: Phase I (initial feasibility), Phase II (prototype development), and Phase III (transition to operational use, funded outside SBIR/STTR). As of 2025, AFWERX has awarded approximately 10,400 SBIR/STTR contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to startups and small businesses.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 Annual Report |url=https://afwerx.com/wp-content/uploads/AFWERX_2023-Annual-Report-Final_CLEARED_AFRL-2024-4054_WEB.pdf |publisher=AFWERX |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Mark |title=Why the Air Force has its own venture capital fund |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90620774/air-force-venture-capital-silicon-valley-afventures |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=Fast Company |date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
The Program Year 2024 combined cohort for AFWERX and SpaceWERX accounted for $241 million in SBIR/STTR funds, $466 million in government matching funds, and $257 million in private matching funds.
=== Notable companies and projects === * Joby Aviation, received AFWERX funding and partnered with the DAF on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft demonstrations, including a 2022 flight by U.S. Air Force pilots marking the first Airmen to fly an electric aircraft with military airworthiness certification.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clouse |first1=Matthew |title=Autonomous aircraft capabilities showcased by AFWERX, Joby at Department-Level Exercise |url=https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4291163/autonomous-aircraft-capabilities-showcased-by-afwerx-joby-at-department-level-e/ |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=Air Force Research Laboratory |date=September 3, 2025}}</ref> * BETA Technologies, partnered with AFWERX Prime; its ALIA eVTOL aircraft was flown by Air Force pilots in March 2022 as part of the Agility Prime program.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Milligan |first1=Katie |title=AFWERX Agility Prime program, BETA Technologies make history with first Airman flight of electric aircraft |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2966513/afwerx-agility-prime-program-beta-technologies-make-history-with-first-airman-f/ |publisher=U.S. Air Force |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> * Disruptive Electronic Warfare Machines (DEWM), received a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR award for its Attritable Radar Target (DART) system, a man-portable radar threat emulator for electronic warfare training; delivered its 50th unit in 2025 and advanced to Phase III contracts for operational integration at Eglin Air Force Base.<ref>{{cite web |title=DEWM Announces C-Band Variant, D2P2 SBIR for X-Band |url=https://dewm.io/dewm-announces-completion-of-c-band-variant-direct-to-phase-ii-d2p2-sbir-for-x-band-variant/ |website=DEWM – Disruptive Electronic Warfare Machines |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=24 September 2025}}</ref> * Orbital Sidekick, awarded a Phase I SBIR in 2018 and a subsequent STRATFI award of approximately $17 million for space-based hyperspectral intelligence analytics. * OrbitFab, awarded a $12 million STRATFI contract to develop in-space refueling infrastructure described as "gas stations in space."<ref>{{cite web |title=Orbit Fab Announces $12 Million AFWERX STRATFI Program |url=https://www.orbitfab.com/news/stratfi/ |website=Orbit Fab |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref> * Reflect Orbital, awarded a Phase II SBIR contract of $1.25 million in May 2025 for satellite-based sunlight redirection technology for on-demand illumination and energy resilience on critical Air Force operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reflect Orbital Selected for SBIR Phase II Contract by AFWERX to Advance Satellite-Based Sunlight Redirection Technology |url=https://www.reflectorbital.com/press/reflect-orbital-selected-for-sbir-phase-ii-contract-by-afwerx-to-advance-satellite-based-sunlight-redirection-technology |publisher=Reflect Orbital |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
== SpaceWERX == SpaceWERX is the space-focused division of AFWERX, serving as the innovation arm of the United States Space Force.<ref>{{cite web |title=About SpaceWERX - SpaceWERX |url=https://spacewerx.us/about/about-spacewerx/ |website=spacewerx.us |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=10 July 2023}}</ref> It was formally established on August 19, 2021, following the creation of the United States Space Force in December 2019. It was organized to apply AFWERX funding mechanisms to space-specific technologies and to support Space Force acquisition priorities. Its budget has grown from approximately $30 million at inception to nearly $457 million annually as of 2024.
SpaceWERX is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and employs approximately 40 military, civilian, and contractor personnel. It coordinates with Space Systems Command and its Commercial Space Office (COMSO) and has a budget of $460 million per year. Since its establishment, SpaceWERX has executed more than 900 contracts worth over $690 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=SPACEWERX FY2024 ANNUAL REPOR |url=https://spacewerx.us/wp-content/uploads/2024_AFWERXSPACEWERX_AnnualReport_Cleared_AFRL-2025-2954.pdf |website=spacewerx.us |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref>
=== Notable funded projects === * Varda Space Industries, awarded multiple SBIR contracts beginning in 2021 for in-space manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and optical fibers in low Earth orbit; later partnered with the Air Force to adapt its reentry capsules as hypersonic flight testbeds.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Erwin |first1=Sandra |title=U.S. Air Force to test hardware at hypersonic speeds on Varda’s space capsules |url=https://spacenews.com/u-s-air-force-to-test-hardware-at-hypersonic-speeds-on-vardas-space-capsules/ |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=March 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=AFWERX, SpaceWERX SBIR/STTR Program Revolutionizes Hypersonic Testing with Commercial Re-entry Capsules - AFWERX |url=https://afwerx.com/news/afwerx-spacewerx-sbir-sttr-program-revolutionizes-hypersonic-testing-with-commercial-re-entry-capsules/ |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=afwerx.com |date=16 December 2025}}</ref> * Starfish Space, received 10 SBIR and 3 STTR contracts for its Otter spacecraft, designed for satellite servicing and debris removal; awarded a $37.5 million STRATFI contract in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starfish Space Awarded TACFI Contract to Advance Development of CEPHALOPOD Satellite Guidance Software – Starfish Space |url=https://www.starfishspace.com/press-release/starfish-space-awarded-tacfi-contract-to-advance-development-of-cephalopod-satellite-guidance-software/ |website=Starfish Space |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AFWERX, SpaceWERX SBIR/STTR Program Spearheads Space Mobility for Enhanced Logistics and Debris Management - AFWERX |url=https://afwerx.com/news/afwerx-spacewerx-sbir-sttr-program-spearheads-space-mobility-for-enhanced-logistics-and-debris-management/ |website=afwerx.com |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=20 February 2026}}</ref> * K2 Space, awarded a $60 million STRATFI contract in fiscal year 2024 for large-format satellite technology.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFWERX, SpaceWERX SBIR/STTR Program Supports Satellites Built for Large Payloads, Orbital Versatility - AFWERX |url=https://afwerx.com/news/afwerx-spacewerx-sbir-sttr-program-supports-satellites-built-for-large-payloads-orbital-versatility-2/ |website=afwerx.com |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=29 December 2025}}</ref> * VICTUS HAZE, A 2024 tactically responsive space demonstration mission conducted in partnership with Space Systems Command and the Defense Innovation Unit, designed to demonstrate the ability to deploy a space vehicle within 24 hours of tasking and achieve operational readiness within 48 hours of reaching orbit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Space Force awards contracts for Victus Haze rapid launch mission |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/space-force-awards-contracts-for-victus-haze-rapid-launch-mission/ |work=Breaking Defense |date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> ** True Anomaly, received a $30 million emergent need SBIR contract through SpaceWERX for its Jackal rendezvous and proximity operation-capable spacecraft and command and control center; True Anomaly contributed an additional $30 million in private capital to the effort.<ref>{{cite web |title=True Anomaly selected for $30M Space Systems Command contract in support of VICTUS HAZE |url=https://www.trueanomaly.space/newsroom/true-anomaly-selected-for-30m-space-systems-command-contract-in-support-of-victus-haze-tactically-responsive-space-mission |website=True Anomaly |date=November 4, 2024 |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> ** Rocket Lab, received a $32 million contract through the Defense Innovation Unit to design, build, launch, and operate a rendezvous and proximity operation-capable spacecraft using its Electron launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Erwin |first1=Sandra |title=Rocket Lab, True Anomaly selected for Space Force 'tactically responsive' mission |url=https://spacenews.com/true-anomaly-gets-30-million-contract-for-space-force-tactically-responsive-mission/ |work=SpaceNews |date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rocket Lab Selected by Space Systems Command to Build and Launch Spacecraft for Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) Mission |url=https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-selected-by-space-systems-command-to-build-and-launch-spacecraft-for-tactically-responsive-space-tacrs-mission/ |website=Rocket Lab |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref> * Orbital Prime, a program supporting on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) with an initial emphasis on active debris removal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Orbital Prime - SpaceWERX |url=https://spacewerx.us/orbital-prime-2/ |website=spacewerx.us |access-date=20 April 2026 |date=15 February 2024}}</ref>
== See also == * Small Business Innovation Research * DARPA * Air Force Research Laboratory
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control|state=collapsed}} {{DEFAULTSORT:AFWERX}} Category:United States Air Force Category:United States Space Force Category:Air Force Research Laboratory Category:United States Department of Defense agencies Category:Military projects of the United States Category:Military research of the United States Category:2017 establishments in Ohio Category:Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Category:American organizations established in 2017