4 Dec 2006

Office of Naval Research Using AFRL SBIR-Developed Technologies

Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) developed a trio of technologies under an AFRL Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Cave-Optimized Audio/Video-Enabled Network (CAVE-Net) program is now utilizing these technologies. CAVE-Net provides multiterrain wireless network capabilities for use in caves,

4 Dec 2006

AFRL Develops Plasma Actuator Computational Model

Controlling subsonic aerodynamic flow by means of plasma actuators is an active area of research in both the Air Force (AF) and the general scientific community. A typical plasma actuator consists of two offset electrodes separated by a dielectric material. Plasma forms as the voltage difference between the electrodes ionizes the surrounding gas.

4 Dec 2006

Alternative Approaches to 3-D Packaging

AFRL and the University of Arkansas developed alternative approaches to three-dimensional (3-D) packaging under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. The work focused on the formation of silicon through-vias that allow vertical connections in a 3-D wafer stack. This process is becoming sufficiently stable, and the team has shifted its

4 Dec 2006

AFRL Supports Falcon Stage Separation Test

AFRL supported a successful full-scale stage separation test of the QuickReach™ small launch vehicle developed by AirLaunch, LLC, aiding the joint Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Air Force Falcon program in completing milestone 2 of its Phase 2B contract. The test demonstrated an acceptable clearance between the separated stage and the

4 Dec 2006

New Telescope and Rocket Enhance Solar Flare Forecasts

AFRL scientists engaged in Solar Disturbance program activities developed the Optical Solar Patrol Network (OSPaN), a state-of-the-art solar telescope that improves solar flare forecast accuracy and lead time for operational end users, such as the Air Force Space Command and Air Force Weather Agency. Each minute of the day--sunrise to sunset--the

4 Dec 2006

Mars Rovers Mark 2-Year Anniversary

AFRL-developed technology plays a key role in the remarkable longevity of the Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, which recently marked their 2-year anniversary on the Red Planet. Spirit landed on Mars in January 2004, and Opportunity arrived 3 weeks later. Though scientists expected both rovers to operate on Mars' surface for ~90 days, the rovers

4 Dec 2006

Plume Signature Research Enables Missile Defense

Air Force (AF) and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) programs rely on accurate target or threat missile signature data for all stages of flight. The results of interceptor algorithm research and development activities conducted at AFRL and various universities transitioned to users of these programs. Simulation and prediction of vehicle flow fields and

4 Dec 2006

AFRL Delivers Mosaicking Software

AFRL delivered and transitioned the final software release of its mosaicking software to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. AFRL also plans to transition the software to the Global Command and Control System (GCCS) 4.X family of systems as part of the GCCS Integrated Imagery and Intelligence tool upgrade. The mosaicking software produces

4 Dec 2006

DoDIIS Trusted Workstation Version 3.2 Installed at Multiple Sites

AFRL installed Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems (DoDIIS) Trusted Workstation (DTW) version 3.2 at multiple sites: the Multinational Force (Baghdad, Iraq); US Transportation Command (Scott Air Force Base, Illinois); Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (Quantico, Virginia); Office of the Secretary of Defense/Undersecretary of

4 Dec 2006

AFRL Successfully Tests COUNTER Project

As part of the Cooperative Operations in Urban Terrain (COUNTER) project, AFRL scientists used unmanned air vehicles (UAV) to conduct flight tests designed to provide special operations forces with situational awareness in an urban environment. Small urban targets are harder to detect from high altitudes. UAVs flying at lower altitudes increase the