HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Air Force Technology Horizons, Engineering and Advisory, or ATHENA, Panel held its semiannual meeting here July 21-22, bringing together senior scientists and acquisition professionals for discussions on emerging technologies and warfighter needs.
The ATHENA Panel provides independent, transformational advice to senior Air Force leaders to help ensure long-term battlespace dominance.
“Our function is to be that liaison between the science community and the operational community,” said Albert Lowas, chief scientist at Air Mobility Command. “When we get together, we not only come together as a group to share technology ideas and the state of how we're looking at those technologies, but we do it in different geographical areas so that we can learn the uniqueness of what that area has to offer.”
The two-day session focused on accelerating the development and integration of artificial intelligence, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management and technologies.
Hanscom AFB was selected to host the meeting because of its unique role in the acquisition enterprise and its concentration of organizations working at the forefront of emerging technologies.
“We have an interest in emerging technologies, and you won't find more emerging technologies on the East Coast than here,” said Col. Timothy Zens, military assistant to the Department of the Air Force chief scientist.
The visit provided members with an opportunity to engage directly with the acquisition workforce and gain a better understanding of the technologies, challenges and opportunities shaping the development of future warfighter capabilities.
“From an acquisition perspective the chief scientist community generally tends to be on both ends of the acquisition perspective,” said Lowas. “Part of the reason for being here at Hanscom is to talk to program offices and see where we have potentially missed the opportunity to connect a little better.”
During the meeting, panel members received briefings and collaborated directly with Hanscom AFB organizations including the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, federally funded research and development centers such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory and MITRE, and specialized commercial partners including Specter Aerospace, Enigma Aerospace, Merlin Labs and Draper.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for the acquisition workforce to connect with senior scientists from across DAF and identify potential partnerships that could accelerate technology development and transition
ATHENA members said their diverse expertise and engagement with industry and acquisition organizations can help strengthen partnerships and improve the delivery of capabilities to the warfighter.
“There are a lot of potential partners that would value the spectrum of experience that the scientists bring,” said Zens. “We think in many cases, developing partners and working with them, you certainly need to start those initial connections.”
Lowas emphasized the importance of building relationships and maintaining direct connections across the technology and acquisition communities.
“We want to connect with people, then try to use those connections to help bridge the technology Valley of Death,” he said
The Panel includes chief scientists from Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Center, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Air Force Test Center, National Air and Space Intelligence Center and Pacific Air Forces.