The U.S. Air Force has adopted a three-phase strategy to select small, innovative companies outside the traditional defense industry to perform advanced development work and to tap Silicon Valley-style venture capital firms to help taxpayers finance the new technology. Acquisition chief Will Roper is implementing Air Force Ventures, a new method of attracting high-tech startups to the government. U.S. Air Force plans to make 50 large “bets” on technology. New acquisition training to be based on Fighter Weapons School. To prepare, the Air Force is sending acquisition officials back to school. Next year, a cadre of program managers will be enrolled in a six-month course at Stanford University, which will teach the Air Force to manage technology investments like venture capitalists.   Read More >>