FluidLogic Awarded $1.9M HQ AFRL/AFWERX Tactical Funds Increase (TACFI) to Develop Innovative Hydration Systems for U.S. Air Force Personnel

EL SEGUNDO, CA, August 23, 2024 – FluidLogic today announced it has been selected by AFWERX for a Tactical Funds Increase (TACFI) to a 2022 SBIR Phase II effort in the amount of $1.9 million, focused on developing an ecosystem of intelligent wearable and in-vehicle hydration systems to optimize water intake and greatly improve performance of military personnel in the Department of the Air Force (DAF), and scalable across the Department of Defense. 

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX have partnered to leverage the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through 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 FluidLogic will continue its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

FluidLogic’s partner for this effort is the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) assigned to Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. This USAF unit, part of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing (AGOW) trains and deploys Joint Terminal Air Controllers (JTACs) for global missions and is the perfect user to help develop the military’s next generation of hydration systems.  

“FluidLogic is committed to helping our service members achieve and maintain peak performance and readiness through our innovative hydration technologies,” says Sara Blackmer, FluidLogic’s CEO and retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. “This contract is an important step in shaping a suite of advanced hydration products that meet the rigorous demands of our service members.” 

According to Dr. Christopher Myers, the Government lead for this effort and Human Performance Optimization Director assigned to the 2nd ASOS, “FluidLogic is developing a very advanced type of hydration system that could revolutionize how Dept of Defense personnel stay hydrated, and consequently deliver game-changing leaps in their performance-this boosts readiness and combat effectiveness, if we do this right it may become a must-have item for everyone in the military.”

The views expressed are those of the author and Dr. Christopher Myers do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

About FluidLogic:
Founded in 2016, FluidLogic is a startup developing cutting-edge technology solutions designed to provide optimal hydration, ensuring users consistently perform at their peak. With in-vehicle hydration systems, FluidLogic proactively hydrates users in demanding environments necessitating intense concentration, physical stamina, and tactical precision. FluidLogic develops hydration technology products for the motor sports and military sectors, including NASCAR, IndyCar and BAJA 1000 Series pro racers, and the U.S. Air Force. For more information about how FluidLogic takes hydration to the next level, visit FluidLogic.com. FluidLogic is headquartered in El Segundo, California.

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 https://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 over 6,100 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: https://afwerx.com.

For Press Inquiries Contact:
Emma Wickey
fluidlogic@jacktaylorpr.com