Lessons from Air Force Spark Tank Recipients

Air Force established over 50 innovation hubs around the world, distributed $64 million in Squadron Innovation Funds, and created an annual Air Force Spark Tank competition to recognize airmen with “ the most game changing ideas.” After substantial investment, is the United States Air Force delivering innovation?ĭrawing on the experiences of innovative airmen whose ideas were selected at the service’s predominant innovation competition by the major commands and won millions of dollars, this article explores the challenges and offers lessons learned every Air Force organization must incorporate to achieve the innovation called for in the National Defense Strategy. Given that innovation is featured so prominently in the speeches of senior leaders and incorporated in the capstone American military strategy document, how effective is the Air Force in translating good ideas into solutions?

As potential near-peer adversaries steal intellectual property and increase investment in their own capabilities, the Air Force can leverage the creative capacity of American airmen to increase capability per dollar.

In a speech at the 2018 Air Warfare Symposium, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright described the long line of airmen who had ideas, but a “longer line of folks waiting to tell them no.” But the National Defense Strategy prioritizes innovation, and senior Air Force leaders champion it to improve the U.S.

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