Continuing and Professional Education

Mason Defense

About AFCENT Partnership:

Headquarters Ninth Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Central) has formalized a partnership with George Mason University to advance the joint research, rapid capability development, warfighter training, and education crucial to enhancing and supporting the mission readiness. The Mason Applied Prototyping Lab (MAPL) exists to serve the Department of Defense by activating and integrating a powerful innovation ecosystem centered around emerging technologies. Rooted in George Mason University’s reach and convening power, MAPL offers a unique platform to accelerate the sourcing, evaluation, integration, testing, and deployment of mission-critical technologies.

George Mason University is committed to cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals who are prepared to lead and sustain emerging technology efforts across the Department of Defense and allied partners. Leveraging our strategic presence in the National Capital Region, Mason is uniquely positioned to provide scalable, defense-ready workforce solutions that support both long-term national security goals and the urgent needs of operational units such as AFCENT.

With 40,000+ enrolled students and over 200,000 alumni, Mason is one of the largest providers of talent to the federal government and defense industrial base. MAPL works with career services, veteran transition programs, and employer partners to ensure defense-focused students are mission-ready and placed into roles of impact.

Provost Mark Ginsberg and Lt. Gen Grynkewich shake hands after signing of EPA agreement. Photo by William Gallagher/Powell Media Concepts

Research:

This research undertaken by George Mason University faculty and their teams supports the U.S. Air Force in addressing critical operational challenges through advanced logistics planning, autonomous systems, and AI-driven analytics. These projects leverage cutting-edge simulation, optimization, and machine learning techniques to enhance mission effectiveness and operational resilience.

Research Areas and Objectives Include:

  • 1. Resilient Logistics Planning for Adaptive Basing Faculty Researchers
  • 2. Enhancing Small-Force Teams with Swarm-Based Technologies
  • 3. Game-Theoretic Strategies for Autonomous Agent Defense
  • 4. Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS) Targeting of Drones
  • 5. Autonomous Ground Vehicles: Extreme Off-Road Mobility
  • 6. UAV Sensor Testbed for Base Protection
  • 7. High Quality 3D Mapping for Military Applications
  • 8. Enhancing Anomaly Detection for Drone Image Identification

MBA/MPA Programs:

Through the Academic Fellows Program, Mason supports current and aspiring defense technologists pursuing master’s and PhD programs aligned with AFCENT’s mission areas. These fellows engage directly with MAPL projects, contributing to applied research in AI, autonomy, analytics, mechatronics, and logistics.

Applications must be submitted directly through George Mason’s graduate application office for the MBA and MPA programs.

Graduate Programs | George Mason University

Upskilling with Continuing and Professional Education (CPE):

Mason delivers agile, non-credit and certificate-based offerings that rapidly prepare professionals for high-demand technical roles. These include short-format, hands-on programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, data analytics, and smart logistics — designed to meet the immediate and evolving needs of theater commands.

  • Cybersecurity (CompTIA, CISSP)
  • Data Analytics
  • Project Management
  • Mason Career Academy