News

June 18, 2008
AFRL-Funded Research Leads to Better Wireless Communications

The research contributions of Dr. Rachel Learned, an AFRL-funded researcher employed by BAE Systems, have paved the way to clearer radio reception for military personnel deployed in locations prone to signal interference. Through her work in multiuser detection (MUD), which examines the reception of
June 18, 2008
AFRL-Sponsored SuperBot Research Supports Air Force Information Dominance

AFRL is funding research aimed both at improving SuperBot prediction capabilities and at creating algorithms enabling the robot to detect surprise. SuperBot is a modular, multifunctional, and reconfigurable robot. Conceptually, it is a set of individual robots that work together to solve problems.
June 18, 2008
Oysters Used for Developing Pearl-Like Aircraft Coating

AFRL is funding University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) scientists who are conducting biomimetic research that could lead to new lightweight, durable aircraft coatings. UDRI senior research scientists Mr. Doug Hansen and Mrs. Karolyn Hansen are investigating oyster shell and pearl formation
June 18, 2008
AFRL Demonstrates Near-Instantaneous Low-Spool Power Extraction

Engineers from AFRL and industry partner Pratt & Whitney demonstrated a near-instantaneous low-spool power extraction capability as part of the Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engine program. This successful effort marks the first in a series of planned demonstrations geared towards advancing
June 17, 2008
Pulsed-Detonation Engine Powers Manned Aircraft

Aviation's first-ever flight test of a manned aircraft powered by a pulsed-detonation engine (PDE) was a success. An AFRL-designed PDE that produced greater than 200 lbs of thrust powered the Long EZ test aircraft, which achieved a speed of 120+ mph and an altitude of 60-100 ft. AFRL propulsion
June 17, 2008
New Laser Tuning Technique Promises Better Remote Sensing of Chemical Threats

Whether on the battlefield or the city streets of home, early detection of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or high-yield explosives (CBRNE) saves lives. AFRL, in collaboration with the University of New Mexico, devised and demonstrated a novel way of continuously changing, or
June 17, 2008
AFRL Sponsors Research to Improve Antennas for Micro Air Vehicles

As part of his project called "GameChanger," Dr. Richard James (an AFRL-funded professor from the University of Minnesota) is using the concept of objective structures to create new antennas for micro air vehicles (MAV) used for military purposes. MAVs are a type of remotely controlled unmanned air
June 17, 2008
Integrated Photonic Structures Will Facilitate Improved Communications and Signal Processing Capabilities

An AFRL-funded research team demonstrated the use of integrated photonic structures for increasing communications and signal processing capabilities from different parts of Air Force aircraft. Dr. Ali Adibi, of the Georgia Institute of Technology Center for Advanced Processing Tools for
June 17, 2008
US/UK Collaboration Produces New Military Laser Safety Code

AFRL's High-Energy Laser (HEL) team successfully completed a 3-year effort to develop a new international agreement expanding an existing collaboration between the US and the United Kingdom (UK). The new project arrangement, entitled "Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Methods for Military Laser
June 13, 2008
2008 U.S. Air Force Marathon registration figures on pace to shatter last year's record

If current figures are an accurate predictor, the 2008 U.S. Air Force Marathon appears well on its way to shattering last year's registration record of more than 6,700 runners and could approach the 10,000 mark. As of June 13, the total number of runners registered for the 12th annual event stood at