Go With the Flow: Novel Diode-Pumped Alkali Laser Achieves First Light

'First light' lasing from a lab-developed flowing diode-pumped alkali laser marks key progress towards better thermal management properties for the lasers of tomorrow. (Photo by Second Lieutenant Alex K. Rowton, AFRL/RDLC)

Small-Engine-Specific Research Nets Dedicated Facility

Pictured are various endeavors ongoing at AFRL's newly established Small-Engine Research Laboratory. The SERL facility will enable key investigations pertaining to small-scale propulsion and power systems. (AFRL image)

X-51A makes flight test history

An X-51A Waverider hypersonic flight test vehicle is carried by an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52 on May 26, 2010 over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The X-51A successfully made the longest ever supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight off the southern California Pacific coast. Four X-51A cruisers were built for the Air Force Research Laboratory by industry partners Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Densmore)

TacSat-3 imagery

Image of the Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, taken by the TacSat-3’s primary payload, the Advanced Responsive Tactically-Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer (U.S. Air Force image)

Materials Characterization Breakthrough Leads to Automated Component Health Monitoring

AFRL's Raman tribospectrometer, developed for in-place characterization of wear-resistant materials at high temperatures, automates component health monitoring. Pictured here is the instrument in operation, with the laser incident on a wear track created by a ball bearing's contact with a solid lubricant surface rotating at 200 rpm. (AFRL image)

Materials and Manufacturing Know-How Bests Failed Breakers

AFRL materials engineers identified the root cause of circuit breaker failure in KC-135 aircraft and provided a viable solution to check and, as necessary, replace the problematic components in nearly 400 aircraft. (AFRL image)