THE DIVERSIFICATION OF ARMY INNOVATION
FIRST IN FINALS
Deep Breathe accepts the first-place award for the xTechInternational 2024 competition at the finals event in Madrid, Spain. From left is Matt Willis, Ph.D., director of Army Innovation Programs and Army SBIR|STTR Programs; Rob Arntfield, M.D., Deep Breathe founder and CEO; Delaney Smith, Deep Breathe manager of data science and research; Col. Charles Seaberry, director of AFC Atlantic; Lt. Col. Erik Quiralte, director of International Technology Center (ITC)-France, AFC Atlantic Forward Element; and Paul Sparks, Ph.D., technical director of ITC, AFC Atlantic Forward Element. (Photo courtesy of Deep Breathe)
critical to the DOD. Over the course of the 2024 international competition, Seaberry observed solutions across a spectrum of TRLs that align with current priorities, such as AI for decision- making and autonomy; quantum technologies for sensing and secure communication; additive manufacturing for operational efficiency; and sustainable energy solutions. “XTech is more than an innovation discovery platform; it is a catalyst for cultivating a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurship,” Seaberry said. “Trough this initiative, the Army connects with international innovators at the forefront of transformative technology, laying the ground- work for future capabilities that may fundamentally shift the defense landscape.”
CRITICAL SUCCESSES Bearing out Seaberry’s sentiment, xTech has already helped the international S&T community maximize connections and align solutions at the Army’s point of need. Magnus Metal Ltd.,
38 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2025
based out of Tzora, Israel, won first place in xTechInternational Advanced Manufacturing and Materials in 2023. Te small busi- ness is now leveraging relationships made during the competition to integrate its automated, additive manufacturing technology with the Army.
In August 2024, Magnus Metal Ltd. received $150,000 through the FTAS program, which funds technology assessments on novel, foreign technologies that could support Army modern- ization efforts. According to Ardy Johnson, Magnus Metal Ltd., vice president and general manager of U.S. operations, the award resulted from an introduction made via xTech during the finals event in London. Johnson believes that the xTech win not only facilitated an invaluable Army connection but also expedited the FTAS application and approval process in less than one year following the competition.
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