Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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July 2024 | By Trinity Elkins and Dan Olsen

Army
Futures
Command


The U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) works with Texas universities, industry professionals and multinational experts to advance the U.S. Army’s ability to address emerging threats.

Two innovative units within AFC are the Army Software Factory, where software operations experts are trained, and the Army Applications Lab, which helps ensure soldiers gain faster access to cutting-edge technology.


Army Futures Command: The innovation and collaboration ecosystem


MISSION: To ensure the Army and its soldiers remain at the forefront of technological innovation and warfighting ability.


  • Develops transformational concepts, research, experimentation and requirements, and creates a running estimate of the future operational environment.
  • Employs nearly 19,000 people worldwide.
  • Supports nine cross-functional teams nationally in six states.
  • Boasts locations in 21 countries around the globe.

Army Software Factory (ASF)

Mission: To create a future force design with soldier-led agile application teams while demonstrating a strategic joint capability for 2040.

  • ASF budget is nearly $34 million per year.
  • Solves 50-60 software problems for the Army per year.
  • Applications and tools are used by more than 46,000 soldiers globally.
  • Innovation at work: Project Ice Guardian quickly assesses the viability of landing troops, vehicles and equipment in key Arctic regions.

Army Applications Lab (AAL)

Mission: To get the best technology in the hands of soldiers as quickly as possible by expanding the Army’s access to the commercial innovation base.

  • Since its inception in 2018, AAL invested $48 million into completed 22 projects.
  • These 22 completed projects had $15 million of co-investment from government and private institutions.
  • Works with 158 companies in its portfolio, spanning 31 states.
  • Innovation at work: Anti-Jam Antenna for Soldiers’ Navigation makes position navigation and timing less susceptible to jamming attempts.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar focused on AFC’s mission as part of his Good for Texas Tour: Military Edition.

Sources: Army Futures Command, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts