EpiSci selected for AFWERX Strategic Funding Increase Contract Award
(POWAY, CA) – EpiSys Science, Inc. (EpiSci) a software AI & autonomy company delivering groundbreaking solutions for defense & dual-use applications, announced 26 March 2024 selection for an AFWERX Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract award. Combining over $30M of committed contract funding with $15M of STRATFI matching funds, the $45M award will accelerate the deployment of revolutionary collaborative, autonomous capabilities ranging from massed attritable swarms to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The funding will accelerate the development of EpiSci’s top-performing TacticalAI-enabled autonomy products and deliver trusted, collaborative, and modular software capabilities to multiple customers,
The STRATFI program, established in 2020 as a vital conduit to the Program of Record, addresses the critical “Valley of Death” between Phase II and Phase III SBIR/STTR programs. Its success is powered by fostering collaborations between end-users, such as the U.S. Air Force, and key stakeholders, including acquisition professionals, private-sector innovators, and investors. Through the support of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces (PEO ISR/SOF), Air Combat Command (ACC), the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA), the Air Force-MIT AI Accelerator, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the US Navy, EpiSci will demonstrate the potential for robust, trustable, and portable autonomy to revolutionize warfighting and secure America and our allies.
“EpiSci has always been focused on extending human capability through the deployment of trusted, collaborative autonomy that is operationally relevant and tactically informed” said Chris Gentile, Vice President of Tactical Autonomous Systems. “This STRATFI award builds on the incredible efforts of the entire EpiSci team and provides a clear transition path, validating the unique benefits of software-defined, platform-agnostic autonomy.”
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
About EpiSci
EpiSci is a software company that develops next generation, tactical autonomy solutions for national security problems. EpiSci’s autonomy software is hardware agnostic, operationally informed, tactically relevant, and has piloted swarms of uncrewed aerial systems and tactical fighter aircraft. Additional applications include human-machine teaming for air dominance, cognitive sensors, networks for advanced communications systems, and battle management command and control for informed decision-making. EpiSci delivers unmatched speed, cost-efficiency, and scalability as the preferred partner for defense agencies & industry teams seeking mission-critical autonomy solutions. Learn more at EpiSci.com and follow EpiSci on LinkedIn.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 6,028 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.
Company Press Contact: Matthew "Rico" Niemiec, Director of Autonomy Solutions
matt.niemiec@episci.com