What Air Force CyberWorx does

Air Force CyberWorx is the U.S. Air Force's first innovation hub, established in 2016 at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and operating under the Department of the Air Force. The organization applies human-centered design methodologies — task analysis, journey mapping, personas, wireframing, usability testing — combined with rapid prototyping to solve operational problems across air, space, and cyber domains for Air Force and Space Force warfighters. It serves U.S. Department of the Air Force units and major commands, including Pacific Air Forces, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, Kessel Run, and the Air Force Academy itself, engaging approximately 450 industry leaders across ~70 major events since inception. Its primary customers are government entities, and contracting flows through SBIR/STTR, OTAs, CSOs, BAAs, and CRADAs.

The organization delivers work through three operational divisions: a Technology Division that identifies, assesses, and integrates emerging technologies; a Design Division that conducts qualitative research and human-centered design; and a Portfolio Division that drives acquisitions, risk management, and rapid prototyping. Notable delivered and in-flight products include GALAGA, an AI-powered logistics planning tool supporting Agile Combat Employment for AFSOC; the Innovation Landing Zone (ILZ), a DAF-owned infrastructure-as-Code cloud environment for Data & AI, DevSecOps, and Infrastructure mission solutions; PACAF SD-WAN, a software-defined wide-area network securing connectivity across 100 million square miles; the 17X Career Development talent-management system; and UX design for Kessel Run's NOVA flight scheduling platform. The 48,000-square-foot Madera Cyber Innovation Center, completed in 2025 with $68M in graduate and corporate donations, houses nine specialized labs.

The business model is government-funded: AF CyberWorx is a non-profit/government entity without external equity investors, sustained by appropriations, sponsored contracts (e.g., the $7.8M SAF/CN-funded PACAF SD-WAN project), corporate philanthropy, and the National Security Capital Summit it convenes. A Partnership Intermediary Agreement with Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (CCTI), a non-profit 501(c)(3), provides the durable contracting backbone for engaging industry and academic experts. The organization does not disclose pricing publicly and operates without a commercial software or API offering; its outputs are project-based solutions and curated convenings rather than recurring SaaS revenue.

Name

Air Force CyberWorx

Legal name

Air Force CyberWorx

Website

https://afcyberworx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Air Force CyberWorx is the U.S. Air Force's first innovation hub, applying human-centered design and rapid prototyping to solve operational problems across air, space, and cyber domains for Department of the Air Force warfighters and major commands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Innovation Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Cyber Defense, Offensive Cyber & Information Operations Systems (IMABAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Communications, Datalinks & Networking (IMABAMAK), Cybersecurity Architecture & Security Integration (BPAEAAAL), AI Server Systems & HGX/Accelerator Platforms (HDAAAAAB)

Keywords

• Defense innovation services
• Human-centered design
• Military technology consulting
• Rapid prototyping solutions
• Government contracting support

Headquarters

HQ city

U S A F Academy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. SBIR/STTR Funding: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide non-dilutive funding to small businesses developing innovative technologies for DoD. AF CyberWorx hosts specific topics in funding rounds.
2. Other Transaction Authority (OTA): Flexible R&D contracting mechanism not governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation, allowing AF CyberWorx to engage commercial companies more easily.
3. Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO): Competitive program to discover solutions and new capabilities addressing DoD requirements, acquiring innovative commercial products, technologies or services.
4. Broad Agency Announcement (BAA): Acquisition of basic and applied research and development efforts directed toward advancing state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge.
5. Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA): Agreements enabling government agencies and private sector to jointly pursue R&D initiatives, sharing resources, expertise, and capabilities.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Air Force CyberWorx is the U.S. Air Force's first innovation hub, established in 2016 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. It solves operational warfighter problems across air, space, and cyber domains by applying human-centered design methodologies, rapid prototyping, and emerging technology integration. The organization delivers concrete products such as the Innovation Landing Zone (ILZ) cloud platform, PACAF SD-WAN networking, and the GALAGA AI logistics planning tool, alongside design sprints, workshops, and partnership facilitation through Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (CCTI).

Product overview

Air Force CyberWorx is the Air Force's first innovation hub, established in 2016 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, that drives rapid solutions for air, space, and cyber domains. The organization operates through three core divisions (Technology, Design, and Portfolio) and offers a portfolio of distinct products and services including: the Innovation Landing Zone (ILZ), a DAF-owned cloud environment for rapid mission solution development; PACAF SD-WAN for wide-area networking; GALAGA, an AI-powered logistics planning tool; and various human-centered design projects addressing cyber career development, flight scheduling (Kessel Run NOVA), and training modernization. The organization also operates the Madera Cyber Innovation Center (48,000 sq ft facility with 9 labs) and facilitates the National Security Capital Summit event. Partnership support is provided through the Catalyst Campus PIA, and contracting is enabled via SBIR/STTR, CSO, BAA, and Other Transaction Authority.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Innovation Landing Zone (ILZ) A DAF-owned, fully managed infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) cloud environment providing Airmen with a secure, monitored platform to rapidly build, test, and deploy mission solutions for Data and AI, DevSecOps, and Infrastructure in a secure accredited cloud.
• PACAF SD-WAN Software-defined wide area networking technology with centralized control function to direct traffic across WANs and cloud providers, enabling configuration, monitoring, and management of networks across the Pacific region.
• GALAGA (Global Assessment and Logistics Allocation Guidance Assistant) AI-powered logistics planning tool for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) missions that runs hundreds of mission-specific simulations with 10,000+ steps each, evaluating terrain, supply availability, threat posture, and PMESII factors to generate ranked Courses of Action.
• 17X Career Development Cyber officer talent management system aggregating billet, training, and education data to enable Development Team boards to make talent management decisions more efficiently for the 17X cyber career field.
• Kessel Run (KREL) NOVA UX Design UX design research and prototyping for a new flight scheduling system (NOVA) to replace the Patriot Excalibur (PEX) system, addressing needs of schedulers, pilots, and asset owners.
• USAFA Honor Code Review Design sprint to review and modernize the USAFA Honor System adopted in 1955, focusing on developing cadets' ability to live honorably as leaders of character.
• Cyber 21st-Century Design Sprint Design sprint addressing cyberspace training model modernization with a modular, flexible, and responsive approach to meet rapid changes in cyberspace operations, threats, and weapon system development.
• Madera Cyber Innovation Center (MCIC) 48,000-square-foot multi-discipline workspace at the U.S. Air Force Academy housing nine state-of-the-art labs including Immersive Environments, Cyber Security, Industrial Controls, Robotics, and Cyber Forensics labs, enabling collaboration among cadets, industry leaders, academics, and military operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Project timeline reduction of 64%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, key and minor.

• Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (CCTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015CCTI is the designated Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) that has supported AF CyberWorx since its inception in 2016. Headquartered in downtown Colorado Springs, CCTI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that bridges government, industry, and academia to accelerate innovation and technology transfer for national security.
• United States Air Force AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAF CyberWorx is housed at and partners with the United States Air Force Academy. The Academy provides exclusive access to 140 PhDs and 4,000 cadets as subject matter experts for innovation projects.
• CYPR AI (formerly Cypress Resources)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationCYPR AI received a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract to develop GALAGA, an AI-powered logistics planning tool for AFSOC. CYPR AI served as technology provider and trusted innovation partner in the GALAGA development.
• LinQuestkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrought in to provide expertise in securely ingesting and processing sensitive and classified information for the GALAGA project.
• Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the GALAGA SBIR development alongside AF CyberWorx and AFWERX.
• AFWERXkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFWERX provides financial infrastructure and innovation support for GALAGA development, connecting small businesses with DAF adoption opportunities.
• Iron BowkeyTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for the PACAF SD-WAN project, providing software-defined networking technology for secure wide area network connectivity.
• AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense research organization mentioned as part of the broader Defense Innovation Ecosystem that AF CyberWorx collaborates with.
• Kessel RunkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Force software factory focused on rapidly developing and delivering software to warfighters. AF CyberWorx conducted UX design research for KREL NOVA flight scheduling system.
• Madera Cyber Innovation Center (MCIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner48,000 square foot multi-discipline workspace at USAFA bringing cyber partners together to collaborate, research, and investigate technologies. Named after Paul Madera (USAF Academy 1978 graduate) and Joan Madera with $68M in funding.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AFWERX: AFWERX is the Air Force's flagship innovation program with SBIR/STTR funding, challenge events, and Spark Cells. It is the closest direct peer to AF CyberWorx — both are DAF innovation hubs driving rapid prototyping and commercial technology transition, with overlapping mission sets (including shared GALAGA collaboration).
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): DIU accelerates commercial technology adoption into the DoD, operating programs across AI, autonomy, cyber, and space. It is a direct peer because both organizations serve as DoD gateways between commercial innovators and military end users, using OTAs and CSOs to field capability rapidly.
• Army Futures Command: Army Futures Command consolidates modernization, experimentation, and requirements for the U.S. Army. Comparable to AF CyberWorx as a service-level innovation organization that integrates emerging technology, human-centered design, and cross-functional teams to field warfighting capability faster.
• NavalX: NavalX is the U.S. Navy's innovation network of Tech Bridges and outreach programs. Comparable as a sister-service innovation hub that connects warfighters, technologists, and industry partners to prototype and transition capability in a similar event-driven, community-led model.
• SOFWERX: SOFWERX is a public-facing innovation hub for U.S. Special Operations Command, co-located with industry and academia to rapidly prototype capabilities. Comparable to AF CyberWorx in mission, methodology (design sprints and SBIR pathways), and customer base (special operations warfighters).

Broad incumbents

• MITRE Corporation: MITRE operates federally funded R&D centers supporting defense, homeland security, and cyber. Comparable as a broad incumbent that delivers applied research, systems engineering, and human-centered analysis to government sponsors, overlapping with AF CyberWorx on cyber and human-factors work.
• RAND Corporation: RAND provides objective research and analysis on defense, national security, and emerging technology issues. Comparable to AF CyberWorx in its research-driven approach to military problem-solving, though RAND is a much larger, established policy-research incumbent rather than a prototyping hub.
• Kessel Run: Kessel Run is the Air Force's software factory delivering operational applications (e.g., NOVA flight scheduling). It is a partner on AF CyberWorx projects but is a broader incumbent in Air Force software acquisition, with a larger workforce and recurring production responsibilities.
• Palantir Technologies: Palantir provides data integration and AI decision-support platforms widely used across DoD (including logistics, intelligence, and mission planning). Comparable as a broader incumbent whose AI/ML capabilities overlap with GALAGA-style logistics planning and with the broader DAF AI experimentation agenda AF CyberWorx advances.

Emerging players

• Anduril Industries: Anduril is a venture-backed defense technology company building AI-enabled autonomous systems for DoD. Comparable as an emerging player that applies commercial-grade software and AI to defense missions in air, space, and cyber — intersecting with AF CyberWorx's mandate to field next-generation capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/af-cyberworx
• Xx.com/afcyberworx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Air Force CyberWorx