Forge Institute has unveiled a new program that grows collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs and non-traditional entities with Department of Defense mission partners to enhance national security.
Boosting National Security
The company said the Atomic Anvil program aims to accelerate the process of advancing technologies, overcoming significant technological challenges and deploying these innovations to address critical national security challenges.
The program prioritizes essential defense areas such as advanced manufacturing, photonics, directed energy, mobility systems, drone and counter-drone technologies. It also focuses on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, direct fires, critical minerals and supply chain.
The initiative, launched in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment Partnership Intermediary Agreement with Parallax Advanced Research, intends to create a direct pathway for researchers, small businesses and startups to collaborate with the DOD.
Participants of the Atomic Anvil program can engage in different ways. One is to attend Industry Days and workshops and to connect through funding opportunities. Another is to engage in mission-focused sprints, paid internships and hands-on work at cyber and artificial intelligence labs and technology assessments. The last area of engagement is to receive mentorship, attend the Defense 101 Course and join the Embers Xcelerator program.
Lee Watson, chairman and CEO of Forge Institute, stated, “Innovating at the speed of mission is imperative as we develop national security capabilities to outpace the adversary. Atomic Anvil is designed to rapidly connect, innovate and accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge solutions, ensuring our warfighters maintain the decisive advantage.”
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