Where are they now? How Dynepic is Revolutionizing Air Force Training
In the late summer of 2020, Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) was tapped by Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to tackle a critical problem: training practices for B-21 bomber pilot and maintainer crews were outdated. The traditional, time-based models were failing to meet the demands of a technologically advanced and strategically critical fleet. The bottleneck in training posed a direct threat to operational readiness.
WBI sprang into action, conducting a thorough analysis of the training landscape and identifying eight priority areas for transformation:
Personalization and empowerment of all participants
Metrics to track individual learning proficiency
A shift from time-based to proficiency-based models
Real-world engagement with cutting-edge technologies
Continuous access to equipment, data, instructors, and experts
Alignment of success metrics across the enterprise
Integration of AI and XR technologies for enhanced learning
Agility in adapting to disruptive trends in pilot and maintainer roles
To ground these insights in the lived experiences of Airmen, WBI used journey mapping to capture the voices of pilots, maintainers, and trainers—illuminating gaps, frustrations, and opportunities for improvement. This human-centered research culminated in the B-21 Training Innovation Challenge, a carefully curated competition designed to bring the best emerging solutions to the table.
Out of 73 submissions, 13 advanced to the June 2021 Demonstration Event. Technologies were evaluated by pilots, maintainers, and subject matter experts. Dynepic Inc., a woman- and veteran-founded company based in Reno/Tahoe, Nevada, emerged as the top performer. Its solution, MOTAR® (Member. Operations. Training. Analytics. Reports.), was awarded a $6.6 million sole-source Phase III SBIR contract—a major validation of its approach to training transformation.
From Pilot to Platform
MOTAR’s initial success in the B-21 challenge catalyzed Dynepic’s rise as a key player in defense training innovation. The platform offered more than just immersive content—it provided a secure, open ecosystem where Airmen could learn, measure progress, and access critical training materials from anywhere, at any time.
Since 2021, Dynepic has landed a string of notable contracts:
A $3.6 million expansion to scale MOTAR for broader Air Education and Training Command (AETC) use
Selection for all categories in a $900M IDIQ contract from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/XA)
A $51 million STRATFI award from AFWERX in 2023 to power the “Military Metaverse”
Two $1.25 million Phase II SBIR contracts, one focused on digital thread capabilities and another on XR streaming
A $1.2 million contract to deploy MOTAR-In-A-Box for portable, edge-ready training solutions
These awards reflect not only the scalability of MOTAR, but the Air Force’s growing confidence in Dynepic as a strategic partner in modernizing training.
Lessons That Last
Beyond the impressive contract wins, the B-21 Training Innovation Challenge set a new standard for how the Air Force and WBI collaborate with small businesses. It showed that:
Emotions matter in personalized learning—Airmen expect their time and expertise to be respected with high-quality training.
Journey mapping and human-centered research can surface deep insights that lead to meaningful innovation.
Challenges that combine technology scouting with human insight offer a powerful model for identifying breakthrough solutions.
The success of this initiative sparked follow-on efforts. WBI was soon engaged to support advanced training innovation challenges across three additional aircraft platforms and to explore new technologies to extend the B-21’s mission using unmanned systems.
A Model for the Future
Dynepic’s story is a testament to what’s possible when government innovation teams like WBI and AFGSC collaborate intentionally with small businesses. From an open call to a mission-critical solution, MOTAR has evolved into a cornerstone of the Air Force’s training transformation—helping to ensure that the next generation of pilots and maintainers are not just ready, but ahead of the curve.
About Dynepic:
The future of education and work is changing. To meet those evolving needs, Dynepic is building the foundational digital infrastructure that will enable that transformation and support remote operations, immersive learning, spatial computing, and artificial intelligence. Dynepic’s MOTAR® platform is easily customized for use in Enterprise and Government /Defense markets.
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