AFWERX expects to formally launch SpaceWERX—a center for military-space-centric innovation intended to support Space Force acquisition—this summer, AFWERX director Air Force Col. Nathan P. Diller told reporters at the Air Force Association’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium on Feb. 24.
Former Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper announced the hub’s creation last December, adding that it would call Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., home. Space Force Chief of Innovation Lt. Col. Walter ‘Rock’ McMillan, who has been tasked with directing the hub, is currently assembling a team to run it, Diller said.
“We are expecting very soon—in the coming months—to actually narrow down that space topic into what would be our space prime,” Diller said. “That will be the first prime that will be moving forward under our current plan.”
Diller said that SpaceWERX would discuss “the contracting activities associated with this space prime” at the summer launch event.
In the nearer term, Diller said, AFWERX anticipates multiple space companies to participate in Space Pitch Days and seek out additional Strategic Funding Increases for their innovation efforts via AFVentures’ Supplemental Funding Pilot Program.