WBI Brings Innovation, Efficiency, and Impact to the 2024 AFRL Commander's Challenge
The Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) has a longstanding history of supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Commander's Challenge, a program that fosters innovation and rapid problem-solving among junior force members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians.
WBI's involvement has been instrumental in guiding teams through various phases of the competition, leading to tangible outcomes such as patents, business ventures, and deployed technologies.
The 2024 Commander’s Challenge focused on developing low-cost solutions to counter slow-moving, high-altitude aerial targets, such as high-altitude balloons (HABs). WBI played a pivotal role as the competition commenced with a kickoff event on May 17, 2024, hosted at WBI's Springfield Street facility in Dayton, Ohio. This event brought together 19 participants from various AFRL technical and functional directorates, the 711th Human Performance Wing, and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). Divided into two teams, these individuals were tasked with leveraging their diverse expertise to create affordable solutions to enhance the Department of the Air Force's capabilities against HABs.
“Working with a maximum budget of $75,000 each, the two teams must purchase all supplies, materials and lab gear required to build their prototype; cover any Challenge-related travel expenses; and pick up the tab for outside contracting or consulting needs that may arise throughout the duration of the competition,” Anthony Ligouri, 2024 Commander’s Challenge Program Manager, and former Commander’s Challenge participant, said.
Following the kickoff event, WBI provided expertise to both teams with a variety of ideation exercises before building their prototypes.
Through WBI’s partnership with CRI, WBI established a movement plan for the test equipment, coordinated storage, and developed the sequencing of logistics for the team’s prototypes.
The challenge culminated in December 2024 with final demonstrations in Florida, where both teams showcased their proposed solutions. WBI successfully executed the Central Team target balloon demonstration for both the Eglin/Kirtland and WPAFB teams. The event attracted numerous distinguished visitors, and both teams succeeded in demonstrating the full capabilities of their systems.
Through its support of the 2024 AFRL Commander's Challenge, the Wright Brothers Institute reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for innovation, empowering the next generation of Air Force leaders to develop cutting-edge technologies essential for national defense.
Blog written by Jennie Hempstead.
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