AFWERX Funds Virtual Engine Training Project

 HTX Labs has been selected for a Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) opportunity by AFWERX, with funding up to $5.8 million. This selection follows the successful completion of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project in collaboration with the 100th Maintenance Group (MXG) at RAF Mildenhall in the UK, where HTX Labs delivered a virtual KC-135 aircraft maintenance training solution.

Expanding upon this previous effort, the STRATFI project will focus on developing a virtual F-108 engine digital classroom to support maintainers supporting the KC-135. The STRATFI initiative aims to deliver adaptations to the EMPACT immersive training platform that will provide for enriched, AI-powered immersive training that enhances both instructor lesson creation and student training outcomes.

“The backbone of the Air National Guard are our drill status guardsmen. However, these maintainers have limited opportunities to perform some of the more complex aircraft and engine repairs in a training environment,” said Maj Ryan Wing of the Maine Air National Guard. “Providing immersive training to our warfighters is essential to ensuring mission readiness."

As part of this selection, HTX Labs will partner with the 101st Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron (101 MXS) of the Maine Air National Guard to drive key advancements in EMPACT. This includes integrating USAF Technical Order (TO) data to provide direct access to up-to-date technical information within immersive environments, expanding data and performance analytics for personalized learning experiences, and embedding AI across EMPACT’s CATALOG, CREATE, and TRAIN modules to optimize digital asset management, lesson creation and student learning. Additionally, the project will establish a virtual F-108 engine training classroom to validate the effectiveness of AI-driven immersive learning and real-time access to technical data in preparing maintainers for hands-on maintenance tasks.