Puma small unmanned air vehicle

Puma small unmanned air vehicle

Humanitarian supplies air-dropped from the back of a C-130 Hercules (US Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Scott Sturkol)

Humanitarian supplies air-dropped from the back of a C-130 Hercules (US Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Scott Sturkol)

Mr. Mike Zenk, University of Notre Dame team member, recording vibration-environment data for a project flight test (photo by Mr. David Cavalieri)

Mr. Mike Zenk, University of Notre Dame team member, recording vibration-environment data for a project flight test (photo by Mr. David Cavalieri)

Graphic of evolved expendable launch vehicle (courtesy of US Air Force)

Graphic of evolved expendable launch vehicle (courtesy of US Air Force)

Simulation of a metawire

Simulation of a metawire

Dr. Hendrick W. "Henk" Ruck

Dr. Hendrick W. "Henk" Ruck

SuperBots

SuperBots

Anthropometry specialist Mark Boehmer (right), of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, prepares firefighter Paul Bauer, a 19-year veteran and part-time firefighter engineer with the city of Mason (Ohio) Fire Department, for a three-dimensional s

Anthropometry specialist Mark Boehmer (right), of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, prepares firefighter Paul Bauer, a 19-year veteran and part-time firefighter engineer with the city of Mason (Ohio) Fire Department, for a three-dimensional scan dressed in full turnout gear (photo by AFRL’s Chris Gulliford).

Test specimens and test chamber

Test specimens and test chamber

AFRL vice commander helps kick off Air Force aircrew anthropometry study

Col. David B. Glade II, vice commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, recently volunteered as a test subject to help kick off the first Air Force aircrew body measurement study in 40 years. Research anthropologist Scott Fleming (left) explains the data gathering process as he positions Col. Glade in one of the standard test subject poses. (Photo by Chris Gulliford AFRL/RH)

Transistors based on carbon nanotubes, ultrathin tubes of carbon a few atoms wide that will play a prominent role in the future of electronics due to their exceptionally high electrical conductivity.

Transistors based on carbon nanotubes, ultrathin tubes of carbon a few atoms wide that will play a prominent role in the future of electronics due to their exceptionally high electrical conductivity.

An AFRL optoelectronics team is advancing Air Force combat systems through research into high-brightness/high-efficiency emission sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes and lasers) for laser radar and infrared countermeasures applications.

An AFRL optoelectronics team is advancing Air Force combat systems through research into high-brightness/high-efficiency emission sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes and lasers) for laser radar and infrared countermeasures applications.

A novel methodology for building three-dimensional (3-D) models of urban environments in a fast, scalable, and automated way.

A novel methodology for building three-dimensional (3-D) models of urban environments in a fast, scalable, and automated way.

The researchers use nonlinear mathematical and visualization methods as a systematic means of identifying the components of the turbulence.

The researchers use nonlinear mathematical and visualization methods as a systematic means of identifying the components of the turbulence.

Pictured top to bottom are advanced materials in development, the boule for AFRL’s laser part, and a standard-sized boule.

Pictured top to bottom are advanced materials in development, the boule for AFRL’s laser part, and a standard-sized boule.

New large-aperture nonlinear optical crystal parts, with the center image showing nine standard-sized crystal parts stacked into a cube

New large-aperture nonlinear optical crystal parts, with the center image showing nine standard-sized crystal parts stacked into a cube

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Fraundorfer

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Fraundorfer

The image on the left shows an atomic force microscope measurement of the normal and lateral forces between a nanosized untreated silicon tip and three different flat solid surfaces in deionized water. Also shown is a scanning electron microscopy image o

The image on the left shows an atomic force microscope measurement of the normal and lateral forces between a nanosized untreated silicon tip and three different flat solid surfaces in deionized water. Also shown is a scanning electron microscopy image of the tip apex. The graphic on the right depicts an atomic configuration illustrating the molecular-dynamics simulation model.

C-130 with tip tanks

C-130 with tip tanks

Lt. Jeremiah Betz

Lt. Jeremiah Betz

Aircraft firefighting reaches new level

Engineers demonstrate the penetrator nozzle on the new 65 foot High Reach Extendable Turret installed on the FAA Striker fire fighting vehicle to simulate fighting a fire on the new large aircraft mockup at Tyndall Air Force Base. Air Force Research Laboratory, working with the FAA, developed the mockup to research firefighting and rescue techniques in today's larger, multi-deck aircraft. (U.S. Air Force)

Hot double decker

Engineers conduct a JP-8 pool fire using 250 gallons of fuel to test temperature sensors on the New Large Aircraft mockup at Tyndall Air Force Base. Air Force Research Laboratory, working with the FAA, developed the mockup to research firefighting and rescue techniques in today's larger, multi-deck aircraft. (U.S. Air Force)

1-megawatt superconducting generator

1-megawatt superconducting generator

Intrachamber instrument mounted inside a vacuum chamber

Intrachamber instrument mounted inside a vacuum chamber