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Video by Oswaldo Delacruz

Tactical Advantage: TEC Torch

Air Force Research Laboratory

March 24, 2016 | 4:12

Research into micro weapons for drones morphed into the world’s first and only self-contained, hand-held tactical breaching tool. Developed at the request of special operations forces by Energetic Materials & Products, Inc., the TEC Torch shoots out a metal vapor with enough force, speed, and heat to cut through an inch and a half of steel in two seconds.

The first priority was getting the tool to military users. Now the company is working to get a TEC Torch into the hands of anyone who might need it to save a life or remove someone from danger. TEC Torch can also be used in explosive ordnance disposal, and is finding application in underwater salvage.

The TEC Torch is just one of many innovations enabled by the U.S. Air Force’s SBIR and STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) programs. Respectively, the programs fund R&D by small businesses, and cooperative R&D projects between small businesses and nonprofit U.S. research institutions, including universities.

The Air Force SBIR / STTR program focuses on proposals with the potential to develop into products or services for military or commercial consumers. From 2000-2013, the Air Force invested nearly $4 billion in these R&D projects. EMPI received funding during this period to develop its breakthrough breaching tool. This is EMPI’s story.

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Small Business Technology TransferAir Force Small Business Innovation Researchtactical breaching toolTec Torch

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