NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • AFRICOM officials note milestones, challenges ahead

    Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward brought the celebration of U.S. Africa Command's activation home to Germany Oct. 17 as he praised those who came together to stand the command up so quickly and urged them to continue working together so it can reach its potential. Speaking at the AfriCom's

  • AFRICOM personnel bid farewell to Ward, welcomes Ham

    Members of the Defense Department's newest combatant command bid farewell to their inaugural commander here March 9.Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward passed the reins of U.S. Africa Command to Army Gen. Carter F. Ham after nearly three years at the helm.Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates officiated at

  • AFRL 3-D audio research helps to make cockpit safer

    The Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness directorate, Battlespace Acoustics Branch, has developed 3-D sound technology that creates a sound environment that mimics the way the human body receives aural cues -- much like 3-D movies create the perception that the viewer is part of the

  • AFRL achieves “shocking” materials technology breakthrough

    The Air Force Research Laboratory, along with research partners at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Washington, are working to change the shape of materials technology with a breakthrough development that could open up a new range of possibilities for the military and beyond.

  • AFRL adapts pararescue tactics for COVID-19 monitoring

    The Air Force Research Laboratory is leveraging tactics from the Air Force pararescue, or PJ, community, employing a new tool that can monitor multiple patients’ vital signs, helping to alleviate the lean doctor-to-patient ratio that many medical facilities are facing amidst COVID-19.

  • AFRL aids NASA in lofty endeavor

    Ingenuity and collaboration were the keys to success as a group of Air Force Research Laboratory engineers took a series of tests to new heights.

  • AFRL announces winners of student satellite competition

    Students representing 10 universities competed for the chance to send a satellite they designed and built into space. The competition was sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate University Nanosat Program.

  • AFRL awards $10.2 million contract to Lockheed Martin

    The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded a $10,251,024 contract in support of its "Integrated Sensor IS Structure," or ISIS program, to Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems and Sensors, of Akron, Ohio. The two-year contract is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of

  • AFRL awards $49.9 million contract to Colorado firm

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate has awarded a $49.9 million contract to Intelligent Software Solution Inc. of Colorado Springs, Colo., to upgrade intelligence capabilities at U.S. sites around the world. The five-year agreement is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity

  • AFRL awards $6.4 million contract to HNC Software

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate has awarded a $6,462,270 contract to HNC Software LLC, Advanced Technologies Group, of San Diego for research to improve the capabilities of U.S. intelligence analysts around the world. Under the 52-month award, HNC will develop, test,

  • AFRL awards $8 million contract to Raytheon

    The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded a $7,996,471 contract to Raytheon Systems, Co., of El Segundo, Calif., for a surveillance sensor program.The two-year contract is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of Arlington, Va., in support of its Integrated Sensor IS Structure,

  • AFRL awards 'MAJIIC' research contract

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate awarded a $4,840,528 contract to Raytheon Systems Co. of State College, Pa., Nov. 16. The 22-month agreement, "Distributed Common Ground Station Coalition Releasable Enclave," will provide technology that uses MAJIIC -- multi-sensor

  • AFRL bio-signature research may save firefighters' lives

    Imagine facing down a raging fire, up close, with little or no time to save lives and protect property; hauling 75-pound hoses up multiple flights of stairs; carrying victims out and repeatedly putting your life on the line. Then imagine doing it nearly every day. It’s an extreme job and the

  • AFRL breakthrough furthers space optics

    Positioning three delicate, circular mirrors to one one-thousandth of the width of a human hair challenged scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s space vehicles directorate here. But, not anymore. For five years they studied the deployable optical telescope, or DOT. The telescope

  • AFRL commander describes Air Force’s technology vision

    The Air Force Research Laboratory commander discussed the future of hypersonic technology, directed energy and autonomous systems at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space and Technology Exposition here Sept. 16.

  • AFRL completes initial Ultra LEAP flight tests

    The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation has successfully completed initial flight tests for the revolutionary unmanned aerial system with a customizable suite of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools that supports extended missions.

  • AFRL computer guides Mars rovers

    Radiation-resistant computers Air Force Research Laboratory experts here developed helped steer one of NASA's Mars exploration rovers to a safe landing on the red planet Jan. 4.The AFRL's Rad6000 32-bit microprocessors, manufactured for the Air Force by BAE systems, controlled the spacecraft during

  • AFRL demonstrates first collaborative weapon technologies

    A team from the Air Force Test Center flew an F-16 Fighting Falcon and released two Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs, which are Small Diameter Bombs that have been modified with a collaborative autonomy payload. The CSDBs quickly established communication with each other and their seekers detected

  • AFRL develops 'snubber' to prevent engine damage

     An innovative solution from the Air Force Research Laboratory is expected to save the Air Force more than $40 million.The $35 "snubber", developed by the AFRL Propulsion Directorate, is a vibration damper that will prevent cracks in the J-seal on the F-119's engine inlet case, a spoked, ring-like

  • AFRL discovering what’s “bugging” military aircraft

    As any aircraft maintainer can attest, corrosion is a major factor affecting the overall health of military aircraft. Anything from changing temperatures to environmental factors can precipitate corrosion. One major contributor, however, is often overlooked -- microbes.

  • AFRL engineers awarded for fostering innovation, teamwork

    Two Air Force electronics engineers received the 2014 National Security and International Affairs Medal for saving the lives of Soldiers in Afghanistan by creating and deploying a new aerial sensor system to help U.S. Army and special forces units detect and destroy deadly improvised explosive

  • AFRL exchange officer leads international space collaboration

    Through the Department of Defense Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program, Capt. Jacob Singleton has been working with the Space Program at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, known as Dstl, for the U.K. Ministry of Defence since 2019.

  • AFRL experts supporting C-5A evaluation program

    Scientists and engineers here are literally putting parts of a C-5 Galaxy under a microscope to help Air Mobility Command officials determine the cargo giant's current condition and future needs.Materials integrity experts from the Air Force Research Laboratory's materials and manufacturing

  • AFRL holds directed, kinetic energy wargaming experiment

    The experiment placed pilots, weapon systems officers and air battle managers in a series of virtual vignettes exploring mission sets that relate to the combined use of directed and kinetic energy systems, linking past studies and future concepts.

  • AFRL invents cargo aircraft tire change tool

    The 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, part of the Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California, who maintains the U. S. Air Force’s largest aircraft, the C-5M Super Galaxy, contacted the AFRL's JFWORX team seeking assistance to increase the safety and decrease the manpower requirements

  • AFRL launches ARCNet, autonomy R&D portal

    ARCNet, or the Autonomy Research Collaboration Network, is a new electronic platform and business opportunity which facilitates collaborative research and development related to autonomous technologies for AFRL.

  • AFRL licenses second technology to local firm

    This marker, along with a second patent by Brott and his team involving infrared phosphor technology, has recently been licensed to Battle Sight Technologies, which expands to their existing collection of infrared technologies. This technology works similarly to the dials on a watch, absorbing

  • AFRL lighting the way for military aircrews

    Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX) junior force researchers resolved an issue of critical importance to military pilots and aircrews—portable, reliable and robust temporary landing zone lighting.

  • AFRL matching tech to needs with international partners

    A group of AFRL scientists and engineers, hosted by Dr. Ehud Galun of the Israel Ministry of Defense, visited universities throughout Israel to learn about their technology focus areas and explore areas of common interest. The group included seven representatives from the European Office of

  • AFRL neurotechnology partnership aims to accelerate learning

    The Individualized Neural Learning System, or iNeuraLS, is a new augmented learning platform that will enable rapid learning by closed-loop modulation of cognitive states during skill acquisition. Essentially, the AFRL team seeks to develop a capability that will give Airmen the ability to rapidly

  • AFRL opens research altitude chambers, becomes force in aerospace physiology

    At the Air Force Research Laboratory, ensuring pilots, air crews and all flight equipment can withstand various pressures, is one of the missions in the lab’s 711th Human Performance Wing, where research and aerospace medicine converge to enhance the performance and readiness of operational Airmen.

  • AFRL physicist earns national recognition

    An Air Force Research Laboratory physicist here is one of the "50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science" for 2004 according to Science Spectrum magazine and U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine editors.The editors selected Dr. Darnell Diggs of AFRL's materials and

  • AFRL played major role in historic near-space jump

    For more than nine minutes Oct. 14, an international audience watched as Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner egressed from a capsule 128,000 feet above the earth and fell toward the planet reaching speeds of 834 miles per hour, to become the first person to break the sound barrier outside of a

  • AFRL program turns junior workforce into rapid innovators

    Junior force personnel within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate are making the most of their opportunity to showcase innovation and leadership skills through the Junior Force Warfighters Operations in RX, or JFWORX, program.

  • AFRL provides support to robot competition

    Approximately 14 teams from the Miami Valley joined 46 other teams from across Ohio at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) LEGO League Ohio Championship, held Feb. 4, 2018 at the Nutter Center at Wright State University.

  • AFRL robots work to counter bomb threats

    After a civil engineer was injured by a submunition while clearing a beddown area during the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, it was time to find a solution to the problemRobotics research group officials are investigating the next generation of robotic devices to

  • AFRL scientist receives national recognition

    A research scientist and engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s sensors directorate here has been selected for two national awards.Dr. Stanley Rogers has been selected for the 2005 Black Engineer of the Year award for career achievement in government and the 2005 National Society of Black

  • AFRL scientist recognized by White House

    The White House announced Monday an Air Force Research Laboratory space vehicles directorate scientist has received a Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. Each year, the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President presents the PECASE

  • AFRL system revolutionizes research process

    The Autonomous Research System (ARES) may not look like “Johnny Five,” the famous robot from the 1986 movie “Short Circuit,” but this robot’s ability to integrate robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science is altering materials research in a big way at Air Force Research Laboratory.

  • AFRL team selected for Excellence in Tech Transfer Award

    Dr. Brian Simpson, 711 HPW sensory psychologist and one of the inventors of MMC along with Dr. James Kearns, 711 HPW program manager were selected for the successful technology transfer of MMC, which is a system invented to manage complex communication environments.

  • AFRL team selected for innovation award

    According to McIntire, these door locks are designed to be portable, strong, quick to deploy and infrastructure-free with no permanent installation needed. They are also designed to fit both right and left-handed doors, for both in-swinging and out-swinging doors.

  • AFRL technology flies on SpaceShipOne

    Cutting-edge technology developed by experts at Air Force Research Laboratory’s human effectiveness directorate is being used with SpaceShipOne. The privately manned spaceship reached 328,491 feet (62.2 miles) for the second time in five days Oct. 4. The spaceship crew used an attenuating custom

  • AFRL technology makes new weapon for sinking ships a reality

    The Air Force Research Laboratory and Eglin Air Force Base’s Integrated Test Team demonstrated a new low-cost, air-delivered capability for defeating maritime threats that successfully destroyed a full-scale stationary surface vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.

  • AFRL technology tested in California

    Take the bus and leave the driving to embedded software.While it might not be a catchy slogan, that is exactly what happened when California Department of Transportation officials test drove software developed under the Air Force Research Laboratory-managed Model-Based Integration of Embedded

  • AFRL test marks return to 'in-house' rocket fuel development

    Air Force Research Laboratory scientists here returned to the organization's roots with their latest rocket test recently.AFRL technicians have tested rockets of all sizes and fuels of all make-ups for years. What makes this latest test unique is that all components of the test were developed at the

  • AFRL tests high-efficiency engine for unmanned aircraft

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Power Technology Office, along with Engineered Propulsion Systems and the Arnold Engineering and Development Center, recently concluded ground-based testing of an advanced diesel engine that promises to increase the utility and ease the logistics burden of

  • AFRL tests new firefighting technology

    A new method of extinguishing fires is currently being tested and may revolutionize the way the Air Force and the nation fight fires.The Air Force Research Laboratory’s deployed base systems branch here has been developing new firefighting technology for nearly two years. Dubbed the ultra-high

  • AFRL welcomes new commander

    During a change of command ceremony, July 10, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei took command of Air Force Research Laboratory.

  • AFRL wins workforce development award

    The Air Force Research Laboratory's director of personnel is excited about winning a highly coveted award, not just for her own organization, but because of what it says about the entire lab. "This is an AFRL award, an enterprise-wide effort, that says AFRL cares about its people," said Personnel

  • AFRL XQ-58A UAV completes second successful flight

    The Air Force Research Laboratory developed a low-cost unmanned air vehicle together with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. The joint effort falls within AFRL’s Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology portfolio, which has the goal to break the escalating cost trajectory of tactically

  • AFRL 'x-ray vision' tool to reduce costs, time for 3D part qualification

    The Air Force Research Laboratory, in partnership with the Materials Solutions Network at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source of Cornell University, has developed a tool that can look directly inside of and instantaneously inspect the structure of composite components while they are being

  • AFRL, industry launch revolutionary spacecraft technology

    The groundbreaking technology, Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs), provides lightweight and highly-efficient temperature control on higher-power, yet smaller spacecraft. The OHP was recently launched in the second quarter of 2021 on a Maxar Technologies-built satellite.

  • AFRL’s Digital Hangar to support lifecycle management of aerospace systems

    The Air Force Research Laboratory’s “Digital Hangar,” a concept created by Dr. Rick Graves, an Air Force Research Laboratory’s design and analysis branch aerospace research engineer, is a virtual repository containing digital surrogates of aerospace systems that have been gated through rigorous

  • AFRL’s Expeditionary Energy Campaign commences

    The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Transformational Capabilities Office launched the Expeditionary Energy Campaign to fund innovative energy technologies that offer needle-moving capability enhancements for the expeditionary warfighter.

  • AFRL’s THOR hammers drones in new video animation

    The Air Force Research Laboratory has created a new video animation that realistically depicts a Tactical High-power Operational Responder, or THOR, destroying swarms of enemy drones in a base defense scenario.

  • AFRL’s XQ-67A makes 1st successful flight

    The XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms paving the way for other aircraft “species” to be rapidly replicated on a standard genus chassis.

  • AFRL-Carroll High School iGEM team earns Gold in Boston

    A Carroll High School academic team, mentored by CHS teachers and Air Force Research Laboratory scientists, earned a gold medal at the 2017 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in Boston, Nov. 9-13, 2017.

  • AFROTC detachment command opportunities available

    Eligible active duty line of the Air Force lieutenant colonels and lieutenant colonel-selects interested in Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment command opportunities have until June 27 to complete their statement of intent, via the Airman Development Plan, Air Force Personnel Center officials

  • AFROTC detachment commander, instructor vacancies available for summer 2019

    Air Force officials have announced 45 projected Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps detachment commander positions and 104 instructor vacancies available for summer 2019. Line of the Air Force lieutenant colonels and majors selected for lieutenant colonel may apply for detachment commander

  • AFROTC instructor duty applications due June 30

    Eligible lieutenants, captains and majors interested in Summer 2015 and remaining 2014 Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor opportunities must submit their application, via the Airman Development Plan, to the Air Force Personnel Center by June 30, AFPC officials said June 20.