Air Force Research Lab Archives

Spacecom plea to commercial industry: ‘Don’t let the bureaucracy scare you’

“Please, come show us what the realm of the possible is, because there’s a good chance that we didn’t even know we could ask for that," Col.…

Aug 25, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Former Google emerging tech ‘evangelist’ joins AFRL as first CIO, director of digital capabilities directorate

As the Air Force Research Lab's first-ever chief information officer, Alexis Bonnell will be responsible for developing and executing an IT strategy for the organization.

Jul 27, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Michael Emard, 711th Human Performance Wing behavioral scientist, creates slides from video snapshots that would be sent to soldiers in the field (U.S. Air Force photo by Wesley Farnsworth)

Maxar wins Air Force contract to enhance Red Wing GEOINT platform

Deliverables under the new deal include accelerated processing, exploitation, and dissemination software.

Jun 30, 2023 By Jon Harper

From left: Dr. Nick Glavin, Dr. Ajit Roy and Dr. Michael McConney stand with a nanomaterial deposition chamber at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2021. The trio are increasing the availability of nano materials by building stronger ties with industry, government and academia in India. The Air Force Research Laboratory established a new Strategic Partnering Directorate, or AFRL/SP, achieve greater alignment, effectiveness and efficiencies in supporting partnership priorities across the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology enterprise. AFRL/SP will now manage international partnerships for the laboratory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Patrick Foose).

Air Force Research Lab unveils major realignment of partnerships with launch of new directorate

DefenseScoop was recently briefed on the lab’s new ‘one-stop shop for partnerships.’

Feb 27, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

Artist’s rendering of a hypersomic air-breathing weapon. (Image courtesy of DARPA)

DARPA wraps up air-breathing hypersonic program, plans follow-on for hypersonic cruise missiles

Plans are in the works for a follow-on effort, which could include building and flying more air vehicles to help mature the technology.

Jan 30, 2023 By Jon Harper

Concept art for the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). (Image courtesy of Raytheon Technologies)

2022 in review: Pentagon advances several hypersonics initiatives with contract awards and RDT&E

This year saw major developments in the Pentagon’s hypersonic weapons programs — a top modernization priority for the U.S. military as it seeks to keep pace with…

Dec 27, 2022 By Jon Harper

Leidos tapped for Air Force’s Mayhem multi-mission hypersonic weapons program

The Air Force Research Lab has selected Leidos for its Mayhem program to develop a larger class of hypersonic systems that can conduct ISR or strike missions.

Dec 19, 2022 By Jon Harper

AFRL to make new chips to ‘control and process’ qubits for future quantum computers

A new $22.5M contract is indended to advance the photonic approach to quantum processing.

Oct 24, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks observes a demonstration of thermal test equipment during a visit to the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

AFRL to solicit emerging technologies via its new regional research ecosystem

The Air Force’s R&D arm kicked off the pilot in Summer 2021 and signed cooperative agreements in February.

Sep 14, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks speaks with reporters, during a visit to the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Hicks grapples with deficiencies in Pentagon’s R&D infrastructure

After visiting the Air Force Research Lab, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks confirmed that she’s keen to help drive the modernization of R&D facilities.

Aug 18, 2022 By Brandi Vincent