April 5th, 2024
AFRL Commander’s Challenge – 2024
The AFRL Commander’s Challenge immerses participants in rapid innovation, developing warfighting technologies within fixed budgets and limited time frames. Addressing complex problems, participants gain hands-on experience, leadership skills, and insights into AFRL processes. Although AFRL-led, the competition leverages talent and resources across the Air Force Materiel Command, contributing to national and strategic impact. It serves as a platform for technological innovation and a catalyst for career development, potentially changing participants’ career trajectories. The AFRL Commander’s Challenge is an investment in the future of Air Force innovation and leadership.
Maj. Gen. Scott A. Cain, AFRL’s Commander, revived the AFRL Commander’s Challenge, announcing it in a letter to the Air Force Materiel Command on February 29, 2024. The tradition, paused since 2020 due to COVID-19, calls junior officers, enlisted military members, and DOD civilians across the command to develop low-cost solutions for intercepting and defeating slow-moving, high-altitude aerial targets. Known for solving mission-critical problems since 2006, the 2024 challenge aims to inspire innovation.
Managed by AFRL’s Center for Rapid Innovation (CRI) with Wright Brothers Institute support, the event starts late spring 2024, concluding with a final competition seven months later. Six teams, each with six to eight members, will develop prototype systems. Applicants, including junior military and civilian personnel with <10 years in government service, apply by April 5, 2024, expecting a significant time commitment.
Beyond fostering a warfighting culture, the AFRL Commander’s Challenge aligns with the 2023 AFMC Strategic Plan, strengthening teamwork and leadership while developing the next generation of Air Force leaders.
Individuals who wish to be considered for this year’s competition must apply by April 5, 2024. Applicants should submit to Anthony Ligouri (anthony.ligouri.1@us.af.mil) and Bon Strout (bon.strout@wbi-innovates.com) a short email indicating their interest and include a 1-page résumé reflecting their background, education, experience, and other qualifications, to include applicable extracurricular activities.
READ MORE
›
April 19th, 2024
APOP Poster Session – 2024
The Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP) consists of providing senior University students with a project rooted in small turbine engines. Each year, they are tasked with completing a specific challenge. This changes each year, and in the past they’ve done Maximum thrust/weight, Electronic Power Generation, and this year they are doing maximum reverse thrust. It’s an amazing opportunity for AFRL & LCMC to coordinate with academia on innovating on new technology.
The poster session coming up in April will be an opportunity for the students to come and present their designs. In years past, students have come with their own poster of their accomplishments, and typically present in an open forum. This includes a table display where on lookers can approach and get a run-down of their work.
ATTENDEE LIST:
Miami (Ohio) University, Michigan Technological University, New Mexico State, Ohio University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State, Tuskegee University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Oklahoma, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin Madison and Wright State University.
There are 3 mentors per team, consisting of one mentor from AFRL and two mentors from LCMC LP.
EVENT DETAILS:
– When: April 19, 2024, 12 P.M. to 3 P.M.
– Location: National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, OH
– Who: Open to public
READ MORE
›