How one base Sparks a movement: Travis AFB and non-traditional pathways to innovation

How do we bring tomorrow’s tools to the Warfighter today?

Timeline

January 2016: 60 AMW leadership issue “Grand Challenge”

February 2016: Formation of Travis AFB Innovation Office

• Grassroots model developed

• Senior Leader engagements throughout 2016/2017

April 2017: Gen Everhart signs charter creating PHOENIX SPARK

• AMC Challenge

November 2017: 60 AMW Phoenix Spark Hub charter signed

• Innovation Lab opens

March 2018: Spark Summit

Present: Tackling Airmen generated ideas, SIF, SBIR, etc

Future: West Coast Center for Innovation

Why is Spark important?

Why is Spark Important? • We’ve been “told” to innovate but what does that really mean?

• Where is the bridge between the warfighter and the innovative

organizations/decision makers?

• Spark Provides the Tools and Resources to Rapidly Solve Problems • Based on empowering the Airmen • Developing their understanding of the Air Force • Accelerating Culture Change

• User Have Direct Say in Process, Policy and Requirements • Harnessing Skillsets to solve problems at the lowest level

• Identifying your “X-Men and X-Women” • Millennials and Gen Z have grown up with Internet and Cell Phones • They think differently, the view problems differently

Pain Points

Operators Organizations Leadership

Experts Industry

Academic DoD

How Do We Engage?

- Tools for the Warfighter

- Collaborative Research

- Knowledge Exchange

Tools for the Warfighter

Tools for the Warfighter C-5 Predictive Maintenance

Tools for the Warfighter Our Airspace

Tools for the Warfighter Our UAS Future?

Collaborative Research

Knowledge Exchange

Training Opportunities

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Design Thinking Computer

Science

3D Design

Additive Manufacturing

Lean Launchpad, Organizational Analysis, Sustainable Innovation

Human Centered, Scrum, MMC

Programming, Software &

App Development, AI, Machine

Learning

Materials Design Testing

DoD Innovation Ecosystem • Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office

• Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)

• AFWERX

• ARL/ARL Open Campus

• Army Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO)

• Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF)

• BRICC

• Comparative Technology Office

• CyberWorx (USAFA)

• DARPA/Fast Track Programs

• Defense Digital Service

• Defense Innovation Board (DIB)

• Defensewerx

• DIU

• Griffis Institute

• JIAMDO/Blackdart

• JIDO

• Joint Capability Technology Demonstration

• Marine Corps Rapid Capabilities Office (MCRCO)

• MIBP Military District 5 (MD5)

• MCWL - Experimentation Division

• MCWL - Technology Initiative Screening Office

• Navy Illuminate

• Naval Postgraduate School - Field Experimentation

• Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global

• ONR – SwampWorks

• Other Transactions Consortiums

• Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF)

• Rapid Reaction Technology Office

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

• SOCOM S&T Directorate

• SOFWERX/DIRTYWERX

• Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO)

• Wright Brothers Institute (WBI)

• Hacking for Defense (H4D)

• Wing Level: SPARK

What’s Your Role?

www.travisspark.org Phoenix Spark – Travis AFB