AFWERX Announces Final Selection of Participating Teams Across the Globe Vying to Build the Base of the Future
LAS VEGAS, August 19, 2020 (Newswire.com) - AFWERX, the catalyst for fostering innovation within the U.S. Air Force, announces the selection of the top 92 participating teams from across the globe competing in the Base of the Future Challenge. The diverse group of teams - originating from the vast regions of North America, Europe, Australia and other allied countries - represent entrepreneurial startups, businesses, large enterprises, academic institutions and research labs who are all vying to build the Base of the Future and modernize the Department of Defense.
The AFWERX Challenge is centered around six topics - Base Security, Installation Resilience, Leveraging Technology for Operational Effectiveness, Reverse Engineering, Culture of Innovation, and Airman and Family Wellbeing. The 92 proposals selected to advance represent components and solutions to one of the six topics submitted by individuals and teams from both the private and public sectors. The solutions range from new base security technology and VR training modules to virtual assistants and apps designed for wellness and leadership development.
”The AFWERX Base of the Future Challenge is critical to our mission of increasing collaboration between large businesses and entrepreneurs to accelerate solutions for the Air Force,” stated Mark Rowland of AFWERX. “We strive to guide the teams through future contracting, funding and prototyping to further develop their concept into real-word implementation to benefit the Air Force, our warfighters, the Department of Defense and allied partners worldwide.”
”If you look around the world today we’ve got plenty of challenges. But those challenges are opportunities. Opportunities for us to change and flip the script. We don’t just want your help. We need your help. Help us win—to build the Air Force we need for tomorrow,” stated General Stephen Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
Earlier this month, the AFWERX Fusion 2020 Showcase featured 370 of the participating teams, selected from a record-breaking 1,500+ submissions received for the Base of the Future Challenge. Throughout the event, teams pitched their solutions to a panel of subject matter experts from relevant sectors of the Air Force. The top 92 selections were identified and invited to further engage with the Air Force during the week of August 31 with the hope of obtaining contracts. For a complete list of participating teams, visit fusion.afwerxshowcase.com/.
The Base of the Future theme was inspired by Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which was decimated by Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that occurred in 2018. For decades, Tyndall had been home to many generations of Airmen and their families. In the storm's aftermath, nearly 500 buildings were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Fortunately, Congress approved a $3 billion military construction rebuild program, sparking hope that Tyndall would re-emerge stronger than ever before. To learn more about the Base of the Future Challenge, click here.
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Media Contacts:
Tracy Skenandore
Source: AFWERX
