News - Page 606

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
June 13, 2008
Air Force Materiel Command executive director going to Headquarters Air Force

Air Force officials announced today that Barbara A. Westgate will become the new Air Force Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, replacing Maj. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., who will become the commander of Air Force Reserve Command. Mrs. Westgate, a member of the Senior
June 5, 2008
Engineers Demonstrate Pulsed Thermography Inspection for GLOBUS II

Engineers with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) performed an onsite pulsed thermography inspection of the GLOBUS II radar cover, demonstrating the capability of this new inspection technique. GLOBUS II is a radar system located at Vardo, Norway,