Warfighters are called upon to ingest massive amounts of information from disparate sources and required to make rapid and effective decisions without fail. By identifying disruptive, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Autonomy and others from a variety of disciplines, a pathways can be developed toward exponential rather than incremental improvements in human performance.
The AFWIC-led Disruptive Technology Cross Functional Team (CFT) organized itself along specific technical focus areas to explore opportunities that advance, enable or even alter the Air Force's future force design. One area ripe for exploration is technologies that may profoundly increase human effectiveness and performance enhancement. WBI researched, identified and collaborated with outside resources to create a unique technology convergence and discovery process, capable of generating disruptive concept opportunities, which in combination with a "Discovery Toolkit" consisting of the DIA Model (Discovery, Incubation and Acceleration) and ToMoRrOw methodology (Technology, Mission, Resource, Organization) for embracing uncertainty increased front-end of innovation effectiveness. This process yields disruptive innovation solutions with lower risk than traditional brainstorming or technology brokering and stage-gate processes, which are often utilized for incremental product improvements. Its value lies in accurately defining concept readiness and its progression by guiding the right decisions at the right time to advance a product concept through the development process.
By casting a wide net in technology research and using the "lens" of Joint All Domain Command and Control, WBI was able to identify, converge and select technologies to generate many product opportunity concepts for a variety of applications that could enhance human performance in many ways. Individuals would be able to perform significantly more diverse and new tasks than they currently do - more effectively and efficiently. This has the potential to save lives in combat, improve and expand operational capabilities, reduce cost significantly for training and operations.
This project is ongoing. Please check back for updates.