Science & Technology Events

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate seeks transformational research and development partnerships with industry, academia, and other public and private organizations through the inaugural year of the Innovare Aspire Series. 

‍Innovare Aspire Series is an annual campaign to converge diverse capabilities in United States Air Force and United States Space Force strategic priority areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, cyber, nanoelectronics, neuromorphic computing, quantum, and UAS; organize and motivate diverse teams to tackle specific technical challenges; and deliver high-impact, performance-ready capabilities that enhance American competitiveness through diversified commercialization pathways. 

AFWERX is scheduled to host a digital Joint All-Domain Command and Control prototyping demonstration event during the weeks of June 15 and 22, 2020 in Las Vegas. The event, stemming from the aforenamed “Multi-Domain Operations Challenge,” will bring together 24 of the 30 invited companies with Air Force and government tech scouts, end users, contracting officers and leadership. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Colter Lease)

As China continues to implement science, technology, and innovation efforts at a rapid pace, the greater the threat that China will not only assume science & technology (S&T) dominance, but also become an S&T alternative to the United States. Gordon Chang is a subject matter expert (SME) on China, Asia, nuclear proliferation, and the relationship that exists between China and the US. As an established columnist, historian, professor, and public speaker, Mr. Chang will share timely and relevant insight to China’s S&T strategies, and the specific implications those may have to the US.

The 3rd Annual International Quantum Information Science Workshop, an incredible 3-day virtual event, will take place on June 22-24, 2021.

This event is part of a global connectivity initiative to build an open ecosystem of government, academic, and industry collaborations and shape the future of quantum innovation for the U.S. and its’ partners. Registration information will be coming soon!

Over 1,700 students and faculty will gather in Southern New Mexico for the annual Spaceport America Cup. Drawn by the opportunity to collaborate and compete at a world-class spaceport facility, they represent the best and brightest from more than 150 institutions located all across the world.

The Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate ( AFRL /RV)- sponsored Catalyst Accelerator will host a Virtual Tech Gallery where 24 startups and small businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their innovative, dual-use, space or space-related technologies, ideally with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or higher to the Space Community.

Innovation fuels the global economy and provides a competitive advantage to our national defense. America’s defense communities provide the essential element for that success. A supportive and nurturing environment that sets the stage to fuel discovery, breakthroughs, and well-being for those who serve and protect. Our discussion combines a unique mix of seasoned defense leaders, veterans, and community leaders to share their winning formula for successful defense communities.

Join Gen. (Ret.) T. Michael Moseley (18th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force), Gen. (Ret.) Lester L. Lyles, Gen. (Ret.) Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle (Ret), Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Thomas Owen, Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle and economic development experts from Ohio, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Washington, DC to learn how to build a strong foundation for our nation’s defense.

The AFWERX Revolutionizing USAF Flightline Operations initiative is made up of three challenges targeted at leveraging the best technology and services to create an integrated flightline while maintaining security, being resilient and increasing agility. These three challenges are running concurrently but are focused on the separate topics below:
 
Aircraft Maintenance Operations Challenge
Help USAF improve aircraft maintenance operations with data and technology solutions to enhance communications for maintenance personnel, develop integrated teams, and strengthen the flightline capability.

Flightline Security Challenge
Help USAF secure the flightline and win the fight by improving security measures through automation and advanced data analytics.

Airfield Maintenance and Repair Challenge
Help USAF improve the maintenance and repair of its airfields by leveraging autonomous technology, enabling data-driven decision-making, and integrating advanced airfield surfaces.

Accepting challenge solutions until July 8th.

Click the registration link or stay tuned for more information!

Tinker and the Primes is the perfect opportunity to make personal connections with Tinker Air Force Base senior leadership and other Oklahoma defense installations senior leaders, dignitaries, and other federal personnel.

Join a community of end users, technologists and policymakers working together to write the next chapter of autonomous innovation and assure its safe and seamless integration into everyday life. XPONENTIAL 2021 is a reimagined hybrid experience offering fresh insight across the full spectrum of unmanned innovation, from AI, to sensors, to cybersecurity. It’s more than an in-person gathering or a virtual event. It’s the best of both worlds.

The Swarm and Search AI Competition Series is excited to announce the 2021 Challenge: Capture the Flag. This collaborative challenge formulated by the Air Force Research Laboratory ( AFRL ) in the United States and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (dstl) in the UK, will bring together competitive AI experts from around the world.

Can your skills capture the flag and conquer the competition? Partners like AFRL and dstl must deliver operational capability to our Air, Space and Cyber Warfighters who share a culture of urgency to outpace future threats, and this event aims to attract the best and brightest minds to solve autonomy, AI challenges and spark innovation. This Capture the Flag Challenge can have significant impact for search and rescue operations executed by military and first responder communities, reducing risks to save lives.

Teams that demonstrate innovative solutions will enjoy international acclaim. AFRL and dstl employ and partner with some of the world’s leading tech developers. This challenge provides an opportunity to introduce participants to potential career opportunities. Winning submissions will enjoy increased exposure within the defense and technical communities at a variety of conferences and at defense and public-facing events in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Registration is scheduled to begin on 30 April 2021, with the friendly virtual competition starting on 14 Jun 2021, culminating in a Showcase Event on 20 Aug 2021.

The Air Vehicle Technology Symposium is a biennial forum where the air vehicle technical community will gather to present and discuss the latest air vehicle technology advancements and challenges. This Symposium will bring together engineers, scientists, leaders, and operational personnel from throughout the air vehicle community, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, NASA, DARPA, FAA, OSD, air vehicle integrators, component and material suppliers, and academia. The audience is limited to US Citizens only via DD2345.

The 2021 forum will bring together government, military, industry, and academia to discuss the strategic, programmatic, and technical topics and policy issues in aerospace and defense.

AFA's Air, Space, & Cyber Conference is the leading professional development event for Air Force and Space Force officers, enlisted members, civilians, veterans, and defense industry leaders and representatives. Our conference brings together top Air Force and Space Force leadership, industry experts, and government officials to discuss challenges facing the aerospace and cyber communities today and in the future. This year’s conference celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Air Force Association and will build on AFA’s successful recent events featuring record-breaking attendance and speakers, including the Vice President of the United States, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Elon Musk, Sir Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Cuban.

Connecting emerging tools and platforms with the global innovation ecosystem. Converging research, corporate, and government leadership seeking solution providers for their sector specific dataset challenges.

We are proud to launch the TechConnect Europe Innovation Conference & Expo, designed to connect top applied research and early-stage technologies from universities, labs and startup with industry and investment end-users and prospectors.

DMC is the nation’s annual forum for enhancing and leveraging the efforts of engineers, managers, technology leaders, scientists, and policy makers across the defense manufacturing industrial base. Leaders and manufacturing subject matter experts from government, industry, and academia exchange information and perspectives on defense manufacturing policies, strategic direction, best practices, funding opportunities, and the latest manufacturing innovations that will benefit our warfighters.