• Laser-Induced Ignition Eliminates Need for Spark Plug (Diversity)

    AFRL researchers successfully demonstrated resonant laser-induced ignition of a propane-air flow mixture, a concept in an aircraft combustor that would eliminate the protruding spark plug. In place of the spark plug would be an insulated wall electrode where the fiber-optic-coupled laser enters and

  • Carbon Foam Well Suited to Thermal Management

    Thermal management is critical to aerospace systems, and researchers at the Air Force Research Lab are tailoring carbon foam materials to enhance thermal protection in Air Force applications. Carbon foam materials are well suited to the task because of their unique high-temperature properties, high

  • Thermal Battery Production Boosted by Title III Project

    The AFRL has teamed with ENSER Corporation in a Defense Production Act Title III project to advance the domestic production capability for cobalt disulfide (CoS2) thermal batteries, which will be used in a wide variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air defense systems.Thermal batteries

  • AFMC surveys workforce to gauge interest in early retirement, separation

    Air Force Materiel Command will survey its civilian workforce beginning May 1, 2011, to determine how many individuals would be interested in applying for a fiscal year 2011/12 VERA/VSIP incentive program.  Officials said base employees at Wright-Patterson will likely be invited to take the

  • Troops to receive full mid-month pay April 15

    All service members will receive their full mid-month pay they have earned in their paychecks April 15, 2011, Pentagon officials said today."Basically, all active duty and reserve service members will receive full mid-month pay on the 15th of April," Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. Dave Lapan said.

  • Air Force museum not selected to receive space shuttle orbiter

    NASA officials announced April 12, 2011, that the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was not selected to receive any of the operational shuttles or the gliding prototype Enterprise. "The Air Force respects NASA's decision and the museum will move forward with its plans for a new fourth building

  • Budget Deal Avoids Government Shutdown

    Less than an hour before the federal government would have been forced to shut down, President Barack Obama announced that leaders in both parties had reached a budget agreement."Tomorrow, I'm pleased to announce, that the Washington Monument, as well as the entire federal government, will be open

  • AFRL Commander Keynote Speaker at EUCOM i3T Conference in Berlin

     Major General Ellen Pawlikowski, Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), was an invited keynote speaker at the recent US European Command's i3T (Information, Innovation, Integration and Technology) conference in Berlin, Germany. The event brought together military and civilian

  • Air Force Issues Guidelines for Green Fleece

    Additional new guidance has just been released from the office of Manpower, Personnel and Services (AF/A1), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, regarding wear of the authorized Sage Green Fleece outer-garment.According to a message issued by AF/A1, "The Sage Green Fleece Jacket, commonly known