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STRATFI/TACFI

The Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program catalyze the relationships between the United States Space Force (USSF), private-sector innovators, and investors. These programs bridge the capability gap between current SBIR/STTR Phase II efforts and Phase III scaling efforts, facilitating the delivery of strategic capabilities for the USSF.

In 2023, the SpaceWERX team invested $72M in its strategic and tactical funding increase matching program. The matching program provided additional development reach for both dual use and military specific technologies. The program by capturing the outside investments stretched that investment to over $125M benefit across 14 promising technologies programs to accelerate these war winning technologies to the field and into the hands of our guardians. Our program is designed to mature technology through additional investments to mature technology by utilizing small business ingenuity to get after national space needs.

SpaceWERX awarded 142 space-focused contracts through the technology-agnostic Open Topic Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program in 2023. These awards, reflecting SpaceWERX’s dedication to fostering technology excellence, boast a projected value of $151 million. The breadth of research and development work being conducted underscores our pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry.

SpaceWERX STRATFI Spotlight

Check out what some of the SpaceWERX STRATFI awardees have to say about how the program has helped their small business, presented during a panel presentation at Fed Supernova 2024.

Starfish Space
Program Year 24.1 Awardee

Orbit Fab
Program Year 22 Awardee

STRATFI/TACFI Showcase

The below list represents the recent history of SpaceWERX STRATFI/TACFI awards. Further detail about each of these can be viewed in the SpaceWERX Portfolio.

Award DateSTRATFI-TACFI PortfolioOrganization NameProject Description
2023-09-15SpaceABL Space SystemsProvide operational flexibility for low-cost tactical launches via low-cost, modular systems can be distributed at multiple parallel sites until needed, then tasked.
2023-06-26Human SystemsOMNI FED LLCDevelop and enhance Digital U Platform’s by advancing new eLearning tools; empowering the warfighter of tomorrow through education.
2023-06-07Software-CyberMZA ASSOCIATES CORPORATIONSoftware module to improve usage of high energy laser on B-52 aircraft.
2023-05-12HypersonicsVARDA SPACE INDUSTRIES, INC.Orbital reentry capsule with reentry capabilities from low earth orbit with land recovery.
2022-09-20SpaceOrbital Sidekick, Inc.Six imaging satellite constellation used for hyperspectral monitoring capabilities.
2022-09-18SpaceORBIT FAB INCOperationalize in-orbit refueling for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) future missions.
2022-08-24HypersonicsCFD RESEARCH CORPORATIONHypersonic wind tunnel test bed capable of a run time greater than 15 minutes.
2022-08-16EnergyZeno Power Systems, Inc.A nuclear radioisotope power system (RPS) to power Very Low Earth Orbit satellites; recycles nuclear waste for clean energy in space.
2022-07-11EnergyMicroLink DevicesExtensive radiation testing to qualify light-weight and flexible solar cells for space applications; creates 3rd domestic supplier.
2022-02-23SpaceSlingshot Aerospace, Inc.Software that addresses the space domain warfighting challenges with the tools to model real operational threats, analyze alternatives and courses of action.

In The News

SpaceWERX announces Program Year 24.2 STRATFI selections at Fed Supernova

SpaceWERX announces Program Year 24.2 STRATFI selections at Fed Supernova

AUSTIN, Texas (AFRL) – SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, announced the Program Year 2024.2 Strategic Funding Increase, or STRATFI, contract awa...
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AFWERX, SpaceWERX announce Strategic Funding Increase selections at South by Southwest

AFWERX, SpaceWERX announce Strategic Funding Increase selections at South by Southwest

AUSTIN, Texas – AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory, and SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique d...
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