AFWERX releases Autonomy Prime RFI

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) -- The Department of the Air Force’s innovative engine, AFWERX, announced the release of its Autonomy Prime Request for Information, or RFI, Sept. 9, 2022. AFWERX will formally begin industry-facing research as it prepares to launch a new “Prime” program focused on the collaborative development of autonomy technologies with industry to accelerate military adoption.

The program will follow the philosophy of Agility Prime:  collaborative risk reduction across the industry to accelerate the development and implementation of emerging technologies critical to national security. 

Autonomy Prime, while still in its formative stages, will focus on rapid autonomy testing and transition capability or “proving ground,” which will seek to remove roadblocks that prevent rapid, affordable and iterative testing of autonomy in aircraft, as well as potentially spacecraft and ground vehicles. The program plans to introduce challenges focused on key technology gaps identified by AFWERX. Companies will then execute demonstrations or tests at the proving ground to compete for funding and subsequent acquisition opportunities, which could allow them to transition into Air Force field capabilities. The proving ground will include the physical locations where the Department of the Air Force executes tests along with digital twins incorporating modeling and simulation work.