In their new Challenge event, STRIKEWERX and Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) are exploring cutting-edge technology to defeat small unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS).

The AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist is collaborating with STRIKEWERX, the command’s innovation hub, to investigate and create advanced technologies for safeguarding mobile transport systems from swarming, autonomous, and small unmanned aerial systems.

“U.S. integrated deterrence is backstopped by a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent. This challenge will discover the newest developments in industry to address threats and maintain the command’s commitment to nuclear deterrence,” said AFGSC Chief Scientist Dr. Donna Senft.

To accomplish this goal, STRIKEWERX is hosting a special workshop at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana, for approximately 50 industry, academia, and government experts May 4-5. The aforementioned team will work in conjunction with subject matter experts from AFGSC to identify the problem and formulate desired solutions for the challenge.

“We want to conduct market research for our government partners so they can learn about the latest and greatest technology available,” said Russ Mathers, STRIKEWERX director. “We want those businesses, educators, and inventors on the cutting edge of unmanned aircraft systems. All ideas and technologies are on the table.”

After the workshop, an eight-week submission will commence for industry, small businesses, solopreneurs, and academia to propose solutions. The AFGSC evaluators will subsequently assess the top submissions.

An in-person exhibition of these submissions will occur at the Cyber Innovation Center, where AFGSC evaluators will identify and select the most promising ideas for further development into prototypes. The prototypes may be scaled for operational usage if they exhibit potential benefits.

Challenge Primary Goals

Insights from the workshop will inform the design of our new crowdsourcing challenge aimed at advancing state of the art technologies to:

  • Increase security of a high value convoy
  • Undercover solutions with long term stability
  • Identify and influence national policy
  • Identify and embrace current capabilities in industry
  • Conduct market research.

Event details:

  • WHAT: Counter small-Unmanned Aircraft Systems “Challenge Definition Workshop”
  • WHEN: Thursday, May 4 to Friday, May 5, 2023, from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM CST both days
  • WHERE: Cyber Innovation Center, 6300 E Texas St, Bossier City, LA 71111 (in-person only format)
  • WHO: DAF-internal SMEs and external innovators in aerospace and adjacent industries
  • WHY: Counter small-UAS technologies will help defend mobile transportation systems

For more information or to apply to attend, visit: https://afwerxchallenge.com/strikewerxc-suas.

Follow this link for more information and perspectives on UAS swarms.