Published By Dr. Samantha Duchscherer and Chase Kohler
412th Test Wing
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — In partnership with the Griffiss Institute, the Experimental Test Force and the 412th Test Wing hosted a T3 Innovation Open House event on Jan. 22. Seven regional startup companies connected with scientists and engineers across the aerospace discipline to help facilitate the development and implementation of small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) technologies that benefit the warfighter at speed and scale.
T3 Open Houses aim to accelerate technology transfer by connecting innovators and entrepreneurs with Air Force scientists and engineers, promote the region’s test and evaluation capabilities, and host events to attract high-growth firms to collaborate with the Air Force on technology commercialization milestones. The partnership’s goal is to bridge gaps in industry engagement and cross-service collaboration across East Kern and Northern Los Angeles counties.
The Experimental Test Force is a component of the 412th Test Wing’s Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force. The unit has a broad focus on industry integration across small, unmanned aircraft systems, advanced sensors, and other emerging technologies that support the joint force. As a cornerstone of this mission, the unit recently held its inaugural “Game of Drones” event for rapid experimentation with sUAS technology.
Future T3 Open Houses are in the planning stage. If you are interested in participating in future events, contact Matthew Mroz, Executive VP of Strategic Programs at Griffiss Institute at mmroz@griffissinstitute.org or Dr. Samantha Duchscherer at samantha.duchscherer@us.af.mil.
