George Mason University announced on May 18 a partnership with the United States Air Force aimed at speeding up the development and deployment of new technologies for Air Force personnel worldwide.
The collaboration, which involves U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT), brings together George Mason faculty and students with military personnel to test new technologies, train users, and move innovations from university labs into operational settings.
This effort builds on an educational partnership agreement started in 2023 and has expanded into broader research and workforce development. Since that time, AFCENT has invested nearly $10 million at George Mason to support experimentation, prototyping, and validation of new capabilities. Brett Josephson, who leads the university’s work with AFCENT, said: “A priority of AFCENT was becoming a more data-driven headquarters, upskilling the workforce and building capabilities in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, drones, advanced sensors, and data analytics. They looked for a partner who could bring together both technology development and the education needed to actually field those capabilities.”
The partnership draws on expertise from several George Mason schools including the College of Engineering and Computing as well as the Costello College of Business. Other units such as the Schar School for Policy and Government also contribute when needed. Josephson said that researchers share insights on emerging technologies while AFCENT leaders present operational challenges requiring solutions.
Josephson described how this approach helps address what is often called the “valley of death” in defense innovation—the gap between research projects in universities or companies that never make it into practical use by military forces. “Too often, technologies are developed but never make it into the hands of the people who need them,” Josephson said. “By working directly with an operational command, we’re helping bridge the technology transition gap between the lab and the field.”
Research under this partnership focuses on robotics, sensor integration, artificial intelligence applications such as computer vision or data analytics; these are tested first in university labs before being used in real-world exercises overseas. The program also creates opportunities for students: more than 25 faculty members along with nearly 50 undergraduate or graduate students have worked on projects funded through fellowships or assistantships.
Students participate by testing technologies alongside faculty teams at Air Force bases during exercises designed to identify vulnerabilities in defense systems. “These experiences give students the chance to work on real problems with real operational implications,” Josephson said.
Training initiatives include specialized courses for military personnel developed by George Mason faculty—such as a mechatronics program combining robotics with computer engineering—to help teams work effectively with drones or advanced sensors.
In 2025 AFCENT designated George Mason as a duty station—AFCENT Bravo—where Air Force staff can collaborate directly with graduate researchers to ensure innovations are relevant for operations.
Josephson said: “Innovation in today’s security environment has to move faster than ever. Partnerships like this allow us to bring together researchers, students, and operational experts to rapidly field emerging capabilities that help protect our service members and keep Americans safe.” As this collaboration continues growing its leaders hope it will serve as a model for future partnerships between universities nationwide security organizations.
