Patriot Exercise Prompts Key User Feedback

During the Air National Guard's annual international Operation Global Patriot exercise, a C-5A loadmaster tries on the Advanced Head-Mounting Flight Environmental Device to assess its comfort, fit, and integration with his communications set. (Air Force photo)

Laser Bioeffects Research a Dazzling SBIR Success

Members of the AFRL 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Ophthalmic Imaging and Laser Damage team completed an experiment with important implications to understanding laser-induced effects on biological systems. Pictured left to right are Dr. Jeff Oliver (AFRL), Dr. Rebecca Vincelette (AFRL), Ms. Aurora Shingledecker (Northrop Grumman Information Technology [NGIT]), Ms. Ginger Pocock (AFRL), and Mr. Kurt Schuster (NGIT).

USAFSAM educates 6000 students each year

Motivated students, systematic training, and job-specific education enable USAFSAM to turn out over 6,000 fully qualified new medical professionals each year for critical roles within the Air Force and its partner organizations.

World's Smallest Semiconductor Laser

AFOSR-MURI and National Science Foundation-funded professor, Dr. Xiang Zhang has demonstrated at the University of California, Berkeley the world’s smallest semiconductor laser, which may have applications to the Air Force in communications, computing and bio-hazard detection.

Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Starfire Optical Range is a vital resource in achieving the Air Force mission to operate freely in space. This world-class optical research facility and center for Air Force strategic optical exploration is on a hilltop site (6,240 feet above sea level) on Kirtland AFB, N.M. The SOR primary mission is to develop optical sensing, imaging and atmospheric propagation technologies to support Air Force aerospace missions. This facility leads the industry changing technology of laser beacon adaptive optics for military uses and civilian applications such as astronomy. It is a major component of the AFRL Directed Energy Directorate. U.S. Air Force photo

Shiva Star

Research into the military applications of high-energy pulsed power systems is conducted in the 34,261-square-foot Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate, High Power Systems Facility. The facility houses Shiva Star, the Air Force largest pulsed-power system. Shiva Star stores nearly 10 million joules of energy (equal to 5 pounds of TNT). U.S. Air Force photo.

AFRL Sensors Scientist Earns Air Force Science and Engineering Award

Dr. Boris Tomasic, of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Sensors Directorate, earned the 2009 Air Force Science and Engineering Award for Exploratory or Advanced Technology Development. The award recognizes noteworthy achievements in applied research or advanced technology development, with emphasis on improving technology readiness levels, transitioning technology into acquisition programs, and/or direct-fielding technology to operational forces.

Payload Demonstration Success a 'Project Marti' Party

Air Force Research Laboratory engineers used this high-altitude (60,000-85,000 ft) balloon in demonstrating the feasibility of a new payload that supports tactical operations by enabling airborne publish-and-subscribe database access and geographically extended machine-to-machine situational awareness in limited-bandwidth battlefield environments. (Photo Credit: Mathew Gillen)

Geodesic Dome Phased-Array Antenna Demonstrates TT&C Capacity

The Geodesic Dome Phased-Array Antenna Advanced Technology Demonstration proved the antenna's capacity to provide multiple, simultaneous, dual-band (L-band and S-band) contacts for telemetry, tracking, and command of Air Force Satellite Control Network satellites.

Affordability Initiative Software Lowers Aircraft Engine Component Costs

Air Force Research Laboratory engineers worked with GE Aircraft Engine Group, Rolls Royce Corporation, and other industry partners to develop and transition a new manufacturing methodology that uses enhanced DEFORM software to lower the costs of producing components such as the pictured aircraft engine disk.

T-REX Hits New Heights in Human Performance Training Research

Observers measure warfighter performance during T-REX 09-1, an important Training Research Exercise conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory Warfighter Readiness Research Division's Air and Space Operations Center and geared towards investigating immersive learning, information simulation, and other leading-edge training tactics. (Photo by Bruce Liddil / Air Force photo)

Louisiana Civic Leaders tour Eglin AFB

Briefer Brian Mitchell informs a group of civic leaders about past, present and future war technology, in the Taconi Room of the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., October 22, 2009. More than twenty-six influential civic leaders from the Shreveport/Bossier City area of Louisiana gained first-hand knowledge of operations of the Air Force during a two-day “Civic Leader Tour” flight from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., to Eglin on October 21-22, 2009. The leaders received several mission briefings and viewed a static display of the MC-130 Combat Talon I as well as touring several facilities at Eglin AFB and Duke Field, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston)

AFOSR-Funded Optical Links Advance Quantum Communications

Researcher Dr. David H. Hughes of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in Rome, N.Y. is leading a team that is investigating long-distance, mobile optical links imperative for secure quantum communications capabilities in theater. (Credit: Brian Rhea, Director, Corporate Communications, AOptix Technologies)

Wingman helps cancer survivor meet Air Force Half Marathon goal

Master Sgt. Mike Sanders (center) gets some help from 2nd Lt. Evan McNichols (left) and Lieutenant McNichols' cousin, Ben, after finishing the Air Force Half Marathon Sept. 19, 2009, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Sergeant Sanders ran the event one year and eight months after beating cancer. Sergeant Sanders had served as an instructor with the University of Oregon's Air Force ROTC program, and Lieutenant McNichols was a cadet there and they have been each other's wingman since. (Courtesy photo)

Bio-Based Jet Fuel Studies a ?GR8? (Great R-8) Success

In support of the Department of Defense Assured Fuels Initiative, AFRL engineers tested 600 gal of Syntroleum Corporation's R-8 synthetic fuel derived from an animal/vegetable oil blend. This effort is geared towards securing domestic fuel sources to meet military energy needs. Syntroleum produces R-8 using its proprietary Bio-Synfining process.

Aeromedical Care Advanced by Fuel-Cell-Powered System

The existing avionic frequency converter used to power onboard medical equipment during aeromedical evacuation and critical care air transport missions is cumbersome and heavy, poses a substantial electrical sparking and trip hazard due to extensive cabling, and relies on aircraft power to operate.

Collaboration Addresses AFSOC Need for Functional Spotting Charge

As part of an effort to produce a functional spotting charge for Air Force Special Operations Command training purposes, AFRL turned to leftover World War II inventories, modifying the armor piercing rounds—here being fired from an AC-130 gunship—remaining from that era.

Scout Airfield Interdictor Flight Test: Coordinated Rendezvous and Tactical Area Search

In completing its successful Scout challenge flight test, AFRL used these two Osprey weapon test beds as part of the test scenario, which involved searching tactical areas of interest and attacking a stationary target simultaneously.

Improved comfort and safety suits Joint Strike Fighter pilots fine

Dr. Joo Choi, an AFRL research scholar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, measures 2nd Lt. Nathan D. Mueller during a fit test for a new flight suit. Officially called the "Joint Strike Fighter lightweight coverall," the new flight suit not only improves comfort, but also protects the pilot's arms in the event of an ejection (Air Force photo.)

Advanced Appraisal of Protective Eyewear a Foreseeable Field Capability

Physical Optics Corporation worked under AFRL Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract to develop this DOUBLET (Dual Optical Ultrawide Band Laser Eyewear Transmission) device, a capability enabling field personnel to quickly, easily, and cost-effectively evaluate the protective capacity of their laser eye protection eyewear (e.g., spectacles, visors, side shields) according to rigorous LEP safety controls.

Reducing Power System Weight for Combat Controllers

AFRL engineers manage the Battlefield Renewable Integrated Tactical Energy System to reduce the power system weight of combat controllers by 50 percent for a standard 72-hour mission.

Air Force, NASCAR discuss hearing protection technology

Air Force officials partnered with Richard Petty Motorsports and the storied No. 43 car, which is pictured here driven by Reed Sorenson at Bristol Motor Speedway. Air Force Technology Transfer officials met with NASCAR and industry officials recently to discuss hearing protection and communications technology for drivers. (Photo submitted)

Highly-Efficient New MAV

A French researcher, funded by the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD), in London, England and the French DoD has designed a rugged micro air vehicle (MAV) that is attractive to the U.S. Air Force because of its high aerodynamic efficiency, even in adverse conditions. (Credit: Institut Superieur de l’Aeronautique et de l’espace)

Finding New Applications for Carbon Nanostructures

Dr. Jiwoong Park of Cornell University, who receives basic research funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), is investigating carbon nanostructures that may someday be used in electronic, thermal, mechanical and sensing devices for the Air Force. (Credit: Adam Tsen, Cornell University)