It’s not unusual to see Air Force Academy cadets and airmen working side-by-side with engineers from AT&T, like they did on a recent project to use drones to create autonomous and self-healing networks for military use.
In an effort to solve some of the military’s toughest problems, the Air Force has called on industry leaders to create a novel partnership called Air Force CyberWorx. The program pairs cadets and airmen with industry professionals to solve military problems large and small.
Projects range from artificial intelligence software used to plan airstrikes, to building smartphone applications for the military.
Lt. Col. Cindi Brothers, director of strategic engagement for CyberWorx, said the partnership came as the Air Force looked for a better way to solve its most pressing problems.
“We saw the need for the Air Force to have better connections within the industry and to find a model that would work better,” Brothers said.
While projects may be as large as airstrikes or as small as fitness apps, Brothers said each problem and project is carefully selected. The Air Force is looking to solve crucial issues, no matter the size.
“We’re very much a learning organization. We’ve learned to be very specific taking in problems and challenges. We want to take on problems that are most impactful, while being mindful where our industry partners can have the most impact,” she said.
The program has proved beneficial not only for the Air Force and its industry partners, but for Colorado Springs as well.
Vinnie Persichetti, Colorado Springs Chamber director of cybersecurity, said the partnership showcased the city’s already strong tech presence.
“For such a unique Air Force program, I think it speaks volumes that they choose to house it here in Colorado Springs because of the strong IT structure we have,” he said.
Persichetti spent 30 years in the Air Force, with a background in cybersecurity programs, before joining the chamber last year.
He’s hopeful Air Force CyberWorx will attract companies to Colorado Springs for the long-term.
“The opportunities within the cybersecurity sector are growing. We’d like to see more companies come into town and help us grow those assets that we already have,” he said.
Brothers agreed with Persichetti's assessment of the program’s relationship with the city of Colorado Springs, saying CyberWorx reaps benefits from a strong business community in the city.
Earlier this year CyberWorx announced that they’d be building a new 40,000 square-foot building to house the program. Brothers said the building would break ground in early 2019 with the goal of completion in two to three years.
In its current state, CyberWorx can tackle three projects simultaneously. Brothers said the new building would allow them to work on up to ten projects at a time.
Since becoming operational in February 2017, CyberWorx has completed a series of projects, ranging from creating smart, efficient military bases to increasing interest among high school students in cyber careers.
Each time, Brothers said the project intermediary, C-TRAC, seeks out top industry partners to contribute to the project, focusing on industry expertise, independent of company size.
“All of our projects and challenges incorporate industry partners, from mom and pop shops to AT&T and Microsoft,” she said.
When CyberWorx opens its new facility next year, new labs will allow the Air Force to work on projects in different fields, like robotics and autonomous systems.
