• AFRL Advances Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Research

    AFRL manages and conducts exploratory and advanced development programs to provide power systems and cooling technologies for aircraft, missile, terrestrial, and special applications. AFRL researchers are conducting in-house proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell research to help these fuel cells

  • AFRL Deploys Oil-Filled Switch Technology

    AFRL researchers deployed a novel oil-filled switch technology developed over the last 3 years. This device incorporates advances in switching technology made at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Alpha-Omega Power Technologies. The newly deployed high-voltage switch utilizes the poly-a-olefin

  • AFRL Successfully Demonstrates High-Assurance Security Architecture

    AFRL is working with industry under the High-Assurance Security Architecture for Embedded Systems program to develop and advance the Multiple Independent Levels of Security/Safety (MILS) architecture, an enabling technology offering an affordable near-term solution to building high-assurance systems

  • Successful Scramjet Combustor Testing

    AFRL's Robust Scramjet [supersonic combustion ramjet] program establishes new and improved capability in dual-mode scramjet combustors along three major pillars: scalability, operability, and durability. Working under the Robust Scramjet program, Aerojet (Orange, Virginia) successfully completed the

  • SBIR Company Advances Future Space Computers

    Onboard computers are the primary means of operating satellites that cost millions of dollars to build and launch; once in orbit, however, these computers are not easily repaired if problems arise. Furthermore, space-deployed hardware cannot tolerate data errors, since ordinary microchip performance

  • Revolutionary Rotary Airflow Controller

    The cyclic (on/off) characteristics of pulsed detonation engine (PDE) airflow requirements impose a difficult airflow matching problem for the integration of an unsteady PDE with a high speed limit. Therefore, AFRL engineers developed a revolutionary airflow controller and isolator to (1) control

  • AFRL Develops Novel Ceramic-Based Body Armor

    AFRL materials scientists worked with Excera Materials Group (Columbus, Ohio) to develop a novel metal-ceramic hybrid material for use in high-performance, lightweight, low-cost small arms protective inserts (SAPI) for body armor vests. Excera Materials Group is the manufacturer of a unique ceramic

  • AFRL Successfully Tests small Unmanned Air Vehicles

    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 obscured urban targets are harder to detect from

  • AFRL Leads Falcon HTV-1 Model Tests

    The Falcon program, a joint effort between Air Force Space Command and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is an initiative focused on developing and validating technologies needed for prompt global reach while demonstrating affordable and responsive spacelift. The in-flight technologies

  • Cirrus Cloud Study Shows Laser Beam Impact

    AFRL scientists completed a study on the potential impacts that cirrus clouds have on airborne defensive laser systems. These laser systems have envisioned potential both in missile defense and in the engagement of theater ballistic missiles during their boost phase. However, high-energy lasers are