WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) — In defense innovation, rigorous scrutiny is not just an afterthought; it’s the law. AFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF) and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, employs a thorough due diligence process at the core of its investment strategy for safeguarding national security interests.
One of the primary concerns driving the due diligence process is American intellectual property theft, a threat that poses significant economic and national security implications. A 2019 FBI document on intellectual property theft estimates losses of $225 billion to $600 billion due to counterfeit goods and stolen technologies.
“The intent of the due diligence program is to protect DAF equities from undue or adversarial influence,” said Charles Keith, AFWERX due diligence program manager. “The primary concern is the potential risk or leakage that results in intellectual property theft.”