Bombers Directorate creates innovation cell

  • Published
  • By Brian Brackens
  • Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Putting new technology or upgrades on the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet faster, is the focus of The Edge, a new innovation cell that the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Bombers Directorate created late last year.

“We were stood up to think differently and ‘outside of the box,’” said Randy Hildebrandt, chief of The Edge. “Our goal is to work closely with Air Force Global Strike Command, and other partners, to include the Air Force Research Laboratory, Rapid Capabilities Office and industry, and to have deeper conversations about the realm of the possible, as we modernize our bomber fleet.”

The Edge is currently reviewing quick-reaction demonstrations and prototypes from industry as a way to quickly put new capabilities and new technologies on the bomber fleet.

“We are working to put on a rapid prototype for the B-52, of an agile pod, which is a cylindrical-shaped canister that mounts under the wing of the aircraft,” said Hildebrandt. “The idea is to have a quick on, quick off communications and navigation capability. The advantage of using a pod is that we can stuff it with multiple systems and it is more easily integrated into the aircraft system. If they [systems] work, they might stay in the pod and may be the configuration of choice by the user, or they may want to do a full integration [of system] on the fuselage and into the cockpit.”

While innovation is taking place in each of the program offices [B-1, B-2 and B-52] within the directorate, The Edge is charged with looking across platforms and identifying technologies that can be used across the bomber fleet.

“Each program office has their boundaries, and it can be very difficult to look beyond the boundaries of one’s own weapon’s system,” Hildebrandt said. “The Edge is in place to do just that, and so far we’ve had great success.  We’ve been able to build interest with broad conversations and close coordination, to quickly bring capability to our warfighter.”

The Edge is comprised of a lean team of five, and decisions are made quickly.

“When we look at a new opportunity, we quickly put a brief in front of leadership, to make the ‘go or no go decision,’” said Hildebrandt. “An example of a ‘no go’ is something for which there’s no requirement or the technology is too immature. When the decision is made to ‘go,’ The Edge leads the effort, forms an IPT with the respective platform Division, and coordinates closely with stakeholders in order to ensure success.”