Air Force Collaboratory Project to Develop SAR Technologies

LOS ANGELES, August 20, 2013 – The United States Air Force and GOOD are pleased to announce the launch of the first project for The Air Force Collaboratory, an interactive online platform that invites science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) inclined students, educators and innovators to solve some of the Air Force’s toughest challenges. The project, “Search and Rescue 2.0,” invites participants to aid Airmen in saving the lives of natural disaster victims through collaboration on innovative plans for new science and technology solutions.

“Search and Rescue 2.0” became active online on August 1, 2013, and will remain open through September 30. Anyone with an idea can submit a plan to locate, stabilize or transport victims trapped in collapsed structures. Airmen will collaborate and interact with participants in the online platform, and the best solutions will be pushed through to rapid prototyping and possibly launched in the field.

“This is an opportunity for civilians to help save lives while teaming with experienced Air Force scientists and pararescuemen,” said Colonel Marcus Johnson, Strategic Marketing Division chief. “Anyone working, studying or interested in STEM subjects is encouraged to contribute their most creative plans for improving search and rescue efforts.”

Air Force Search and Rescue teams refer to the first hour after a natural disaster strikes as “The Golden Hour.” An injured victim’s odds of survivalincrease significantly if responders can reach them within that time. Continuous technological advancements in equipment are critical to increasing the number of victims saved in such a brief period. “Search and Rescue 2.0” offers contributors the chance to potentially impact thousands of lives that will be affected by future natural disasters, turning would-be tragedies into stories of hope and recovery.

“Search and Rescue 2.0” is the first of three Air Force Collaboratory projects planned in 2013. The second project, “Mind of a Quadrotor,” will be active for collaboration starting in September and challenges participants to help build a system that allows a quadrotor to navigate its surroundings with minimal human interaction. The third and final project, “The Launch of GPS IIF,” will be active in October and will test participants to determine the most effective location within the GPS satellite constellation to launch the Air Force’s newest GPS satellite.

To find out more and submit search and rescue ideas to The Air Force Collaboratory, visit https://airforce.com/collaboratory.