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 VAFC Air Force
Research Laboratory
Air Force Research
Laboratory, with headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was formed through
the consolidation of four former Air Force laboratories and the Air Force Office of
Scientific Research.
Mission
AFRL's mission is leading the
discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for
America's aerospace forces. It is a full-spectrum laboratory, responsible for planning and
executing the Air Force's entire science and technology budget, basic research, applied
research and advanced technology development. AFRL's partners include the Air Force major
commands that operate and maintain the full spectrum of Air Force weapons systems.
Personnel and Resources
The lab employs approximately 5,400 government people, including about 1,300 military
and 4,100 civilian personnel. It is responsible for the Air Force's science and technology
budget of nearly $1.4 billion including: basic research, applied research, advanced
technology development and an additional $1.1 billion from AFRL customers.
Organization
AFRL accomplishes its mission
through nine technology directorates located throughout the United States, the Air Force
Office of Scientific Research and a central staff. The directorates:
Air Force Office of Scientific Research —
With a worldwide exchange program for scientists and engineers, AFOSR is the basic
research manager for AFRL at its headquarters in Arlington, Va. AFOSR invests in
long-term, broad-based research into aerospace-related science and engineering. To
accomplish this mission, AFOSR has formed a strong, productive alliance with other
government agencies, U.S. industry and the academic community. Nearly 80 percent of the
research is conducted in academia and industry and the remaining 20 percent is conducted
within AFRL. AFOSR's investment in basic research programs is distributed to about 300
academic institutions, 145 contracts with industry and more than 150 internal AFRL
research efforts.
Air Vehicles Directorate — With
headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, the Air Vehicles Directorate leads the effort
to develop and transition superior technology solutions that enable dominant military
aerospace vehicles. The emphasis and vision are on technology investments that support
cost-effective, survivable aerospace vehicles capable of accurate and quick delivery of a
variety of future weapons or cargo anywhere in the world. To achieve this, core technology
areas focus on aeronautical sciences, control sciences, structures and integration. The
directorate targets advanced concepts to direct the development of vehicle technologies
that provide future capabilities in the areas of sustainment, unmanned air vehicles, space
access and future strike.
Directed Energy Directorate — With
headquarters at Kirtland AFB, N.M., the Directed Engery Directorate develops, integrates
and transitions science and technology for directed energy, to include high power
microwaves, lasers, adaptive optics, imaging and effects to assure the preeminence of the
United States in air and space. The directorate provides research and development for
leading-edge space capabilities as well as techniques and technologies to improve and
transition optical systems to war-fighting commands. It is the Air Force's center of
excellence for high power microwave technology and the Department of Defense's center of
expertise for laser development, including semiconductor, gas, chemical and solid-state
lasers. The Starfire Optical Range conducts theoretical and experimental research in
advanced tracking, adaptive optics, atmospheric physics and imaging of objects in space
using large ground-based telescopes. The directorate also assesses potential applications
and effects of systems using directed energy technologies.
Human Effectiveness Directorate — With
headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and additional research facilities at Brooks
AFB, Texas; Mesa, Ariz.; and Edgewood, Md., the Human Effectiveness Directorate develops,
integrates and transitions science and technologies for training personnel. The
directorate also is responsible for improving the interface between the warrior and the
weapon system, and protecting and sustaining Air Force warfighters to assure the
preeminence of U.S. aerospace forces. The directorate has eight core technology areas:
warfighter skill development and training, training simulation, information display and
decision support, crew system design technologies, directed energy bioeffects, toxic
hazards effects, crew protection, and logistician effectiveness. The directorate's
partnerships with other technical directorates of AFRL impact 28 technology areas across
the Laboratory. The directorate has collaboratory relationships, based upon shared
interests and mutual benefits, with academia, other military services and government
agencies, and commercial enterprises.
Information Directorate — With headquarters at
Rome, N.Y., the Information Directorate develops information technologies for
aerospace command and control, and its transition to air, space and ground systems. Its
focus areas include a broad spectrum of technologies including information fusion and
exploitation, communications and networking, collaborative environments, modeling and
simulation, defensive information warfare and intelligent information systems
technologies. Directorate scientists and engineers develop systems, concepts and
technologies to enhance the Air Force's capability to successfully meet the challenges of
the information age. In addition to its primary mission, the directorate has partnered
with other elements of the federal government, national intelligence agencies, numerous
allied nations, state and local governments, and more than 50 major universities to work
problems of common interest.
Materials and Manufacturing Directorate —
With headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and an additional research facility at
Tyndall AFB, Fla., the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate develops new
materials, processes and manufacturing technologies for use in aerospace applications.
This includes aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets and ground-based systems and their
structural, electronic and optical components. With a host of modern materials and
analysis laboratories, the directorate also provides quick reaction support and real time
solutions to Air Force weapon system acquisition offices, field organizations and
maintenance depots to solve materials related concerns and problems. The directorate
plans, executes and integrates advanced manufacturing technology programs and
affordability initiatives addressing manufacturing process technologies, computer
integrated manufacturing and excellence through design for military needs. The directorate
is also responsible for the Air Force technology programs that address environmental
issues and provides materials expertise for airbase assets such as runways and
infrastructures and technologies for aerospace expeditionary forces.
Munitions Directorate — With headquarters
at Eglin AFB, Fla., the Munitions Directorate develops, demonstrates and transitions
science and technology for air-launched munitions for defeating ground fixed,
mobile/relocatable, air and space targets to assure pre-eminence of U.S. air and space
forces. The directorate conducts basic research, exploratory development, and advanced
development and demonstrations. It also participates in programs focused on technology
transfer, dual-use technology and small business development. The directorate is dedicated
to providing the Air Force with a strong revolutionary and evolutionary technology base
upon which future air-delivered munitions can be developed to neutralize potential threats
to the United States.
Propulsion Directorate — With headquarters
at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and an additional research facility at Edwards AFB, Calif.,
the Propulsion Directorate develops air and space vehicle propulsion and power
technologies. Focus areas include turbine and rocket engines, advanced propulsion systems,
and the associated fuels and propellants for all propulsion systems. The directorate is
also responsible for most forms of power technology making it one of the nation's leaders
in its field. Programs address both future systems and the need to keep current systems
competitive, safe, affordable and effective. The directorate has contributed technology to
more than 130 military and commercial systems.
Sensors Directorate — With headquarters at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and additional research facilities at Hanscom AFB, Mass. and
Rome, N.Y., the Sensors Directorate develops the new technologies that U.S. warfighters
need to find and precisely engage the enemy and eliminate its ability to hide or threaten
our forces. In collaboration with other AFRL directorates and DOD organizations, the
directorate develops sensors for air and space reconnaissance, surveillance, precision
engagement and electronic warfare systems. The directorate's vision is to provide a full
range of air and space sensors, networked to the warfighter, providing a complete and
timely picture of the battlespace enabling precision targeting of the enemy and protection
friendly air and space assets. Its core technology areas include: radar, active and
passive electro-optical targeting systems, navigation aids, automatic target recognition,
sensor fusion, threat warning and threat countermeasures.
Space Vehicles Directorate — With
headquarters at Kirtland AFB, N.M. and an additional research facility at Hanscom AFB,
Mass., the Space Vehicles Directorate develops and transitions space technologies for more
effective, more affordable warfighter missions. The directorate also leverages commercial,
civil and other government resources that ensure America's defense advantage. Primary
focus areas include: radiation hardened electronics; space power; space structures and
control; space based sensing; space environmental effects; autonomous maneuvering; and
balloon and satellite flight experiments.
History
The laboratory and its
predecessors have overseen more than 80 years of critical research efforts for the Air
Force and DOD. Its technology breakthroughs can be found in all of today’s modern
aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-117 stealth fighter, B-2 bomber, C-17
airlifter and the F-22 fighter. It was contributed to significant advancements in modern
communications, electronics, manufacturing, and medical research and products.
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