In May 2021, Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) was asked to design, implement and oversee a training program for eventual use by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RY).
A brainstorming session with WBI’s Innovation Services personnel and AFRL/RY representatives resulted in a seemingly impossible plan: Hire student interns for a “Summer of Innovation” during which they’d take an off-the-shelf drone and adapt it to meet military needs.
The plan was hatched and WBI went to work designing the curriculum, lining up industry partners to provide software, mentors and hardware, and finding 25 or so willing interns. Against all odds, the program came together and was launched on June 7 at WBI’s 444 East Second Street facility.
This summer program not only met the objectives of AFRL/RY, but gave WBI a perfect example of how – and why – the Air Force Research Laboratory benefits from working with WBI.
Dr. Pam Kobryn of AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate wanted a program she could use to train the directorate’s engineers in one of the Air Force’s major initiatives: Going digital. The Air Force Digital Campaign aims to revolutionize how the Department of Defense designs, builds, and acquires weapon systems, making the entire process much faster and less expensive.
Dr. Kobryn saw not just a need, but an opportunity. She knew that to expand her directorate’s expertise in systems engineering, digital engineering and flight testing would require training. She envisioned a modern AFRL training ecosystem that could be called revolutionary, as it focused on agility, integration, collaboration, and other key facets not before emphasized.
The stated goal was to discover the power of digital engineering principles and techniques by reverse-engineering a commercial drone and modifying it for a new mission. Leveraging WBI and the PIA contract vehicle, AFRL's Summer of Innovation – Digital Drone was made possible in less than a month's time.
Partnership Intermediary Agreements, or PIAs, are signed agreements between a government entity and a non-profit organization whose goal is to facilitate joint projects (industry, academia) and accelerate technology transfer between the government and private companies. They guide and support companies in identifying federal technologies that can be commercialized. Use of a PIA greatly increases the likelihood of successful cooperative activities between the government and small businesses. WBI is part of a network of companies and organizations across the United States that have PI (partnership intermediary) agreements with the Air Force.
In the case of the Summer of Innovation – Digital Drone, WBI was able to move very quickly to design and secure everything required. Moving quickly is often difficult for the government, whose checks and balances can slow momentum on even the most exciting projects. WBI moved with purpose toward the goal of having everything in place for the kickoff in June.
They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.