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DKS is selected to undergo advancements through the AFWERX TACFI Grant, prestigious funding for innovation allowing clean energy to power up Air Force Missions.
Direct Kinetics Solutions (DKS) announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a TACFI Contract in the amount of $1.9M focused on the development of radioisotopic power technology to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). DKS was able to secure private funding in the amount of at least $1.9M to activate TACFI. The effort will focus on enhancing the capability to manufacture the devices at scale, receive necessary certifications for distribution, and keep innovating by using a portfolio of isotopes and technologies.
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on February 29, 2024, Direct Kinetic Solutions will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
"Our mission at DKS is to provide highly efficient and reliable power solutions for devices used in challenging environments on land, sea, and space. We are thrilled to collaborate with AFWERX in the search for innovative alternatives that can enable the Air Force to perform longer seamless missions. It is our honor to work towards the shared goal of improving operational efficiency and pushing innovation forward." Ekhi Municategui, Co-founder & CEO.
About Direct Kinetic Solutions
Direct Kinetic Solutions envisions becoming the power solution for future generations. The company develops, manufactures, and sells Radioisotopic Power Sources. As an alternative source of energy, we combine the persistence and reliability of a power plant with the convenience and mobility of a battery.
These devices harness the high energy density of isotopes and utilize their continuous, and steady emission of energy to generate current that can be utilized to directly power devices, charge chemical batteries, or work as complements to other power sources, such as solar. The company started as part of FedTech in 2019, a program that brings together Government technologies and entrepreneurs with the goal of commercialization. Since then, DKS has seen success within the Department of Defense across the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC), NASA, and National Science Foundation (NSF). DKS has participated in MassChallenge, StartupBootcamp, and Endless Frontier Labs and is part of the Capital Factory.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 6,028 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.
“The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.”
Company Press Contact:
Co-Founder & COO
Single radioisotopic power source cells provide form factor flexibility. Their modular design allows to integrate multiple single cells together achieving 50X improvement in energy density compared to a traditional D battery.
Single radioisotopic power source cells offer form factor flexibility. DKS’ modular design integrates multiple cells for 50X energy density improvement over traditional D batteries.
To learn more, visit https://www.directkinetics.com/technology