12 Dec 2006

AFRL Demonstrates High-Rate Laser Communications Using Optical Phased Arrays

AFRL scientists used an actively operating optical phased array (OPA) to demonstrate a 10 Gb per second laser communication link. The liquid-crystal-based OPA steered the laser beam while recording laser power levels, communication signal eye diagrams, and overall link error levels. Like liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors and televisions, OPAs

12 Dec 2006

Instruments Installed in Greenland Will Enhance Space Weather Forecasts

Under an international cooperative research project between the US Air Force (AF), Denmark's Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Transport and Energy, and the Greenland Home Rule government, AFRL researchers deployed a suite of five ionospheric monitoring instruments at Station Nord, located in far northeast Greenland. With assistance from the

12 Dec 2006

AFRL ENGINEERS COMPLETE ISSE V3.6 CRITICAL DESIGN REVIEW

AFRL engineers successfully completed a critical design review (CDR) of the Information Support Server Environment (ISSE) version 3.6. Upon completion of the CDR, AFRL received approval to proceed with implementation from major stakeholders, which include the Air Force Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center

12 Dec 2006

AFRL Completes Dual-Use Initiative for Nonintrusive Stress Measurement

AFRL, in partnership with Williams International and Hood Technology Corporation, managed a Dual-Use Science and Technology initiative to advance Nonintrusive Stress Measurement System (NSMS) technology for small turbine engines. Exploiting initial NSMS research conducted by the Arnold Engineering Development Center, the team developed and

12 Dec 2006

AFRL Achieves Breakthrough in High-Speed Matching of Titanium

AFRL and Third Wave Systems, Inc (Minneapolis, Minnesota), collaborated to cut the time and cost of titanium machining. Entering into a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agreement, the team reduced titanium machining time by 30%. The use of titanium alloys in aircraft manufacturing continues to increase over time due to the element's high

12 Dec 2006

AFRL Continues to Find Ways to Decrease Air Vehicle Costs

An AFRL-led team determined that an air vehicle's pressure gradient can mitigate the detrimental effect that small surface defects have on air vehicle performance. This finding may result in less restrictive manufacturing tolerances, reducing air vehicle manufacturing and maintenance expenses. During the 1940s and 1950s, scientists conducted

12 Dec 2006

Manufacturing Technology Program Reduces

The B-2 Systems Group initiated a major effort to improve the B-2 fleet mission capability (MC) rate. This effort involved the removal of the tape that covers access panel gaps and fasteners, followed by the replacement of the tape with a material known as alternate high-frequency material (AHFM). AHFM exposes the gaps and fasteners, allowing easy

12 Dec 2006

AFRL Develops Hot Air Module

AFRL and Karta Technologies, Inc., developed a hot air module (HAM) at the request of the B-2 Systems Group. The B-2 Systems Group requested a small, portable heat source with high-temperature capability to provide the heat and pressure needed to make high-quality composite repairs. The group wanted the unit's individual pieces to weigh less than

12 Dec 2006

New Triservice Collaboration Unites

A unique triservice collaboration known as Propulsion - Safety, Affordability, and Readiness (P-SAR) is unifying the propulsion community to achieve common sustainment goals across the Army, Navy, and Air Force fleets. Originally conceived in 2005 as a follow-on effort to the highly successful High-Cycle Fatigue (HCF) program, P-SAR has quickly

12 Dec 2006

AFRL Aids Memphis Belle Restoration Effort

In October 2005, the Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17 that flew 25 missions during World War II and took part in the war bond tours, transferred from the Memphis Belle Memorial Association to the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF). In 1946, the aircraft flew to Memphis, where it remained on display outside the National Guard Armory