Assisting the AFRL

Technology Transfer

The Doolittle Institute (DI) is a partnership intermediary that assists the Air Force Research Lab Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) with achieving its technology transfer goals.

We accomplish our mission through three core activities: engaging with industry and academia to identify potential partners for AFRL/RW researchers, informing industry about AFRL/RW patents that are available for licensing, and organizing networking and brainstorming events to connect AFRL/RW with industry and academia. To guide these activities, DI focuses its efforts on the AFRL/RW Director’s Strategic Guidance and the Broad Agency Announcements released by AFRL/RW. To learn more about these inputs, review the information provided below.

RW Mission Priorities - 2024

Software-enabled weapons (continuation of Networked / Collaborative / Autonomous weapons)

Prepare for September 2026 Counter-maritime Integrated Demo

Increase Probability of Kill / Probability of Weapon Engagement

Evaluate S&T support to munitions manufacturability, capacity / surge

Expand autonomy R&D and apply to current fielded or near-term weapons

Foundational S&T of weapon components

RW Organization Priorities - 2024

Execute role as Chief Technology Office for PEO-Weapons

Fully implement model-based investment planning for SDPP 2024

Accelerate SDPP by 3 months to better align with external funding opportunities

Achieve FOC of AFRL/RW Digital Material Management

Build a resilient, creative, and ready RW workforce

Achieve Gold Standard in Safety Program

Publish RW Capital Investment Plan

Rapid Technology Advancement

Using a 3-year Lens

Broad Agency Announcements

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Patents & Licensing Agreements

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SBIR/STTR

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Technology Transfer Mechanisms

DI hosts various types of events, including Assessment Events, Technology Sprints, Technical Showcases, and more, with the aim of obtaining a technology transfer mechanism:

Patent License Agreement (PLA)

A PLA allows innovators and small businesses to use, sell or further develop AFRL/RW patented technologies in exchange for a negotiable fee.  AFRL/RW offers exclusive, partially exclusive and non-exclusive PLAs and works with potential licensees to negotiate flexible terms that align with the commercialization strategy for the patented technology.

Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA)

CRADAs are the most common and flexible way for federal labs to work with industry and academia. Through a CRADA, federal labs can commit resources such as personnel, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources to one or more interested nonfederal parties. CRADAs cannot be used to commit funds to R&D projects.

Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA)

The EPA is a formal agreement between a defense laboratory and an educational institution to transfer and/or enhance technology applications and to provide technology assistance for all levels of education (pre-kindergarten and up). Federal labs can use EPAs to donate equipment to universities and schools.

Commercial Test Agreement (CTA)

A CTA enables industry and academia to utilize the unique resources that federal labs have to offer. In addition to being granted access to test facilities and specialized equipment, CTAs also enable industry to access the expertise of AFRL/RW scientists and engineers.