Defense, Government, and Industry Innovators Talk Tech in Texas

Intelliwings participated in the AFWERX Challenge Showcase and Spark Collider defense and technology solutions conference at the Capital Factory in Austin, Texas on 20 August 2024. The US Air Force AFWERX innovation division hosted this invitation-only event for Intelliwings and other innovation teams that have been selected as Spiral 2 companies providing Air Force-designated tech solutions ready for immediate contracting. The event follows the previous invitation-only AFWERX Expedient Basing Challenge Showcase held in Las Vegas this past January where Intelliwings also exhibited.

Repy Boards®️Enable Deployed Austere Operations

At the Austin event, Intelliwings met with representatives from a variety of US government defense organizations, including AFWERX, the US Air Force Civil Engineering Center, the US Navy, the US Marine Corps, the US Army Applications Laboratory, USSOCOM, and others. Intelliwings presented the Oohashi Repy Board® Deployable Surface Board system supporting the AFWERX Expedient Basing Challenge.

Repy Boards® enable the rapid establishment of airbase operations at austere locations and in humanitarian relief missions and assistance after natural disasters. Repy boards can be used in a variety of configurations and applications such as roads, aircraft parking areas, helipads, farmlands, field hospitals, warehouses, and safe storage of static-sensitive flammable and volatile materials. Repy Boards® are rugged enough to support up to 80MT yet light enough to be lifted by one person. And Repy Boards® are eco-friendly, made from 100% recycled polyethelene non-conductive electric power cable casings.

These characteristics make Repy Boards® an invaluable tool for both military operations and civilian crisis response, offering a quick and efficient solution for creating stable surfaces in challenging terrains or emergency situations. Nearly 7000 Repy Boards® are already in use by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and other government and commercial users in Asia.

Multiple Days, Multiple Events: Solving Air and Space Challenges

The AFWERX Challenge Showcase and Spark Collider were held in conjunction with the Fed Supernova Conference where updates and ideas were shared among the many government, defense, and industry attendees.

At the Supernova event, the US Space Force’s SpaceWERX innovation division announced its Program Year 2024. 2 Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract award selections. Nine companies were chosen to receive funding totaling $146 million in SBIR/STTR funds, $155 million in government matching funds, and $217 million in private matching funds. The STRATFI program aims to help small businesses bridge the gap between development and full production of space technologies.

The announcement was made by SpaceWERX Director Arthur Grijalva. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between Space Force representatives and private industry to accelerate the development of cutting-edge space capabilities. The STRATFI program provides multi-year funding ranging from $3 million to $15 million per project, enabling small businesses to continue research and development while seeking additional investors.

New Innovation Model Accelerates Acquisition of Proven Solutions

Many of the companies partnering with the Space Force began their participation in the program through the SpaceWERX Tactically Responsive Space Challenge in 2023. These firms received support and resources through the Innovate to Accelerate program and The Bridge initiative, leading to the Expo Day event. This process demonstrates the advantages of incorporating the full suite of AFWERX and SpaceWERX processes and resources available to support and accelerate industry-government cooperative innovation in the space domain.

The STRATFI program is designed to transition technologies from prototype to operational capabilities. Once contracts are awarded, the partnering government organization works closely with the small businesses to execute each contract. Following STRATFI’s stated mission, the ultimate objective is to achieve a Phase III contract, enabling full deployment and utilization of the technology within the supporting customer’s organization. Throughout the contract lifecycle, the STRATFI team monitors progress, milestones, and performance in collaboration with the technical point of contact.

AFVentures Division Chief Daniel Carroll emphasized the critical nature of accelerating these technologies for maintaining a competitive edge in space exploration and defense. By propelling U. S. small business-based innovations forward, the STRATFI program plays a vital role in advancing national security interests and technological superiority in the space domain.

Intelliwings is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this event. For more information regarding Repy Boards®, please contact Intelliwings at info@intelliwings.com