Northwest Louisiana has long been proud of its military heritage and today it stands on the precipice of monumental change. As the home of Barksdale Air Force Base and Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), our region needs innovate ways to support this vital community anchor, and we at the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) are providing just that.

The Department of Defense (DoD) mandates a streamlined process that overhauls acquisition, reduces costs to the government and taxpayers, and focuses on innovation. At the forefront of this effort is AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist, which partners with the CIC to build a reality where small businesses and the DoD join forces to create cutting-edge solutions to strengthen national defense and stimulate the local economy.

As the innovation hub of AFGSC’s Office of the Chief Scientist, STRIKEWERX, a division of CIC, is celebrating five years of finding entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, and academic institutions to rapidly deliver real-world results and prototypes ready for the warfighter. The results have been nothing short of transformative.

STRIKEWERX is creating powerful bridges between military needs and entrepreneurial solutions that boost both U.S. integrated deterrence and the commercial innovation ecosystem. These businesses have delivered cutting-edge technologies that range from fighting drones on the move and communicating with devices that mimic Star Trek, to new virtual reality training for aircrews and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. These solutions have saved the U.S. Air Force $240 million while enhancing readiness, agility, and the ability to outpace adversaries.

STRIKEWERX has made it easier than ever for small businesses and academia to collaborate with military professionals and refine their ideas through research and development while gaining validation, credibility, and the opportunity for growth. In five years, the CIC has used STRIKEWERX to contract with 22 businesses to a tune of $13.79 million.

Regional colleges and universities have also seen renewed interest from students who get the rare opportunity to have a global impact. From year-long student design projects to five-day design sprints, students get exposed to real world challenges and experience in producing solutions for defending national security.

Every contract signed and every prototype delivered by a company in our region means more high-paying jobs, more talent retained, and more investment dollars. It’s win-win: our country gets stronger, and our region gets smarter, more economically resilient, and more prosperous for its residents.

There’s still work to be done, but the momentum is real, and the opportunity is significant. By continuing to foster connections between AFGSC and our vibrant small business community, northwest Louisiana will position itself as a hub of 21st-century defense innovation.

In an era where speed and agility are becoming the driver for America’s defense, the partnership between CIC and AFGSC is a model worth expanding. When small business ingenuity meets DoD ambition, it lifts entire communities to new heights.

Kevin Nolten is president of the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC). Located in Bossier City, Louisiana, CIC is the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park and serves as the catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region. As a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, CIC fosters collaboration among its partners and accelerates technology, research, and development.

Nolten: The Air Force and small business innovation are impacting northwest Louisiana