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{{Short description|Scientific research organization for the US Air Force and US Space Force}}
{{Promotional|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Air Force Research Laboratory
| image = Air Force Research Laboratory.png
| image_size = 220
| caption = Air Force Research Laboratory – Emblem
| dates = October 1997–present
| country = United States
| branch = {{Air force|United States}}<br>{{Space force|United States}}
| type = Research and development
| size = 4,200 civilian<br/>1,200 military
| command_structure = [[Air Force Materiel Command]]
| garrison = {{Nowrap|[[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]]}}<br/>{{Coord|39|49|23|N|084|02|58|W|region:US-OH_type:landmark|display=title,inline}}
| decorations = [[Air Force Organizational Excellence Award|AFOEA]]
| website = [https://www.afrl.af.mil/ www.afrl.af.mil]
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20240303035213/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3289180/jason-e-bartolomei/ Brig Gen Jason E. Bartolomei]
| commander1_label = [[List of Commanders of Air Force Research Laboratory|Commander]]
| commander2 = Col Carl W. Seekamp
| commander2_label = Deputy Commander
| commander3 = CCM Timothey C. Hodgin
| commander3_label = Command Chief
| commander4 = Col Joseph W. Tringe
| commander4_label = Mobilization Assistant to the Commander
}}
The '''Air Force Research Laboratory''' ('''AFRL''') is a scientific research and development detachment of the [[United States Air Force]] [[Air Force Materiel Command|Materiel Command]] dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of direct-energy based aerospace warfighting technologies, planning and executing the Air Force science and technology program, and providing warfighting capabilities to United States air, space, and cyberspace forces.<ref name="factsheet">{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=148 |title=Factsheets: Air Force Research Laboratory |access-date=20 June 2008 |author=US Air Force |publisher=AFRL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611080627/http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=148 |archive-date=11 June 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> It controls the entire Air Force science and technology research budget which was $2.4&nbsp;billion in 2006.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dodig.osd.mil/Audit/reports/FY07/07130sum.htm | title=Contracting Practices at Air Force Laboratory Facilities | author=Department of Defense Inspector General | publisher=Department of Defense | date=28 September 2007 | access-date=13 July 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110033600/http://www.dodig.osd.mil/Audit/reports/FY07/07130sum.htm | archive-date=10 January 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Laboratory was formed at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] near [[Dayton, Ohio]], on 31 October 1997 as a consolidation of four Air Force laboratory facilities (Wright, Phillips, Rome, and Armstrong) and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under a unified command. The Laboratory is composed of eight technical directorates, one wing, and the Office of Scientific Research. Each technical directorate emphasizes a particular area of research within the AFRL mission which it specializes in performing experiments in conjunction with universities and contractors.

Since the Laboratory's formation in 1997, it has conducted numerous experiments and technical demonstrations in conjunction with [[NASA]], [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]], [[United States Department of Energy National Laboratories|National Laboratories]], [[DARPA]], and other research organizations within the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]. Notable projects include the [[Boeing X-37|X-37]], [[Boeing X-40|X-40]], [[X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing|X-53]], [[DARPA Falcon Project#Blackswift|HTV-3X]], [[Boeing YAL-1|YAL-1A]], [[Advanced Tactical Laser]], and the [[Tactical Satellite Program]].

In 2009, it was reported that the Laboratory may face problems in the future as 40 percent of its workers are slated to retire over the next two decades, and since 1980, the United States has not produced enough science and engineering degrees to keep up with demand.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/06/13/pentagon_fears_technology_edge_may_be_eroding/|title=Pentagon fears technology edge may be eroding|first=Bryan|last=Bender|newspaper=Boston.com|date=13 June 2009|via=The Boston Globe|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616080705/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/06/13/pentagon_fears_technology_edge_may_be_eroding/|archive-date=16 June 2009}}</ref>

==History==
The first act of United States funding for fixed wing, heavier than air aircraft ([[Hot air balloon|hot air balloons]] were used earlier) was when, in 1898 the [[Board of Fortifications]] allocated $50,000 (approximately $1,640,404.04 adjusted for inflation) to [[Samuel Langley]] for the development of airframes.  Several  prototypes were made but these were not effective.

On February 10th 1908, the US government issued a contract with the [[Wright brothers]] to purchase an aircraft for use in the [[United States Army Signal Corps|Army Signal Corps]].  

Despite this early momentum, the US was reluctant in spending large amounts of money on air power and fell behind.  France had spent 7.4 Million USD, and Germany had spent 5 million at the times rates, whereas the us had only spent 125,000 before 1914 (in 1914 dollars) [<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Aiming Higher |url=https://www.afrl.af.mil/Portals/90/Documents/HQ/AFRL_Aiming_Higher-HistoryBook.pdf?ver=IhaL_ybRxmuXF6lVKmOFxg%3d%3d |access-date=December 5, 2025}}</ref>]

In 1916, funding was approved for the first national aeronautics laboratory in Hampton, VA, named after Langley,  later made into [[Langley Air Force Base]], now part of   now the site of [[Joint Base Langley–Eustis]].

Despite funding and development leading to significantly aircraft improvements, after [[World War I|World War 1]] the funding for aeronautics engineering was cut significantly.  [<ref>130 Dean, 70; Misenko, 87; Holley, Ideas and Weapons, 152-153; Martin P. Claussen, “Materiel Research and Development in the Army Air Arm, 1914-1924,”</ref>]

In 1926, with the 1926 Air Corps Act, air power was recognized as its word division.  The predecessors to the air force lab were working on using novel materials to create aircraft components. [<ref>“Material Section”; “McCook Field Escort Manual,” 11-12.</ref>]  The predecessors to the air force research lab continued to develop new manufacturing and aerodynamic technologies until [[World War II]]

In 1945, the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories were established. These laboratories were active from 1945 to 2011, following consolidation to [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] and [[Kirtland Air Force Base]] under the [[2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission]].<ref name="Altshuler">{{cite book|last=Altshuler|first=Edward E.|title=The Rise and Fall of Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories|date=2 January 2013|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform|location=Hanscom Air Force Base|isbn=978-1481832519}}</ref> The labs were founded as the  '''Air Force Cambridge Research Center''' (AFCRC), a [[Cold War]] systems development organization which developed telephone [[modem]] communications for a Digital Radar Relay in 1949.<ref name="Edwards">{{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Paul N |year=1996 |chapter=Chapter 3: SAGE |chapter-url=http://www.si.umich.edu/~pne/PDF/cw.ch3.pdf |title=The Closed World: Computers and the Politics of Discourse in Cold War America |url=http://www.si.umich.edu/~pne/cw.htm |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |publisher=MIT Press |page=19 |access-date=23 April 2013 |quote=the Air Force Cambridge Research Center (AFCRC) [had] recently developed methods for digital transmission of data over telephone lines [with] Digital Radar Relay (DRR)<sup>55</sup> The DRR research, begun just after [[World War II]], took four years to complete.  Its availability solved one of the many analog-to-digital conversion problems faced by the eventual [[Semi-Automatic Ground Environment|SAGE]]. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227152015/http://www.si.umich.edu/~pne/cw.htm |archive-date=27 December 2005  }} (Edwards footnote 55 cites Harrington p. 370)</ref> Created by General [[Henry H. Arnold]] in 1945,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brightboys.org/NewsFeeds/BB_News5.html |title=BB News 5 |access-date=11 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101507/http://www.brightboys.org/NewsFeeds/BB_News5.html |archive-date=6 October 2014  }}</ref> AFCRC participated in [[Project Space Track]] and [[Semi-Automatic Ground Environment]] development.

The path to a consolidated Air Force Research Laboratory began with the passage of the [[Goldwater–Nichols Act]] which was designed to streamline the use of resources by the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndu.edu/library/goldnich/S2295.pdf |title=S. 2295. Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 |date=8 April 1986 |access-date=14 July 2008 |author=United States Congress |publisher=99th Congress, Second Session |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060910221052/http://www.ndu.edu/library/goldnich/S2295.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2006 }}</ref> In addition to this Act, the end of the [[Cold War]] began a period of budgetary and personnel reductions within the armed forces in preparation for a "stand-down" transition out of readiness for a global war with the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Duffner | first=Robert | title=Science and technology: the making of the Air Force Research Laboratory | year=2000 | publisher=Air University Press | location=Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama | isbn=1-58566-085-X | pages=9 | url=http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/Books/Duffner/Duffner.pdf | access-date=13 July 2008 | ref=Duffner00 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227163215/http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/Books/Duffner/Duffner.pdf | archive-date=27 February 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Prior to 1990, the Air Force laboratory system spread research out into 13 different laboratories and the Rome Air Development Center which each reported up two separate chains of command: a product center for personnel, and the [[Air Force Systems Command]] Director of Science & Technology for budgetary purposes.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 18</ref> Bowing to the constraints of a reduced budget and personnel, the Air Force merged the existing research laboratories into four "superlabs" in December 1990.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 11</ref> During this same time period, the Air Force Systems Command and [[Air Force Logistics Command]] merged to form Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) in July 1992.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0F5051FDF45145BF&p_docnum=1 | title=New Era Taking Off at Wright-Pat: Materiel Command Startup a Key to Realignment | access-date=20 July 2008 | last=Gaffney | first=Timothy R. | newspaper=Dayton Daily News}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|+Air Force Laboratories Before and After 1990 Merger<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 12</ref>
|-
! Pre-Merger !! Post-Merger
|-
| Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM
| rowspan=3 | [[Phillips Laboratory]]<br/>Kirtland AFB
|-
| Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA
|-
| Astronautics Laboratory, Edwards AFB, CA
|-
| Avionics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
| rowspan=6 | [[Wright Laboratory]]<br/>Wright-Patterson AFB
|-
| Electronics Technology Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
|-
| Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
|-
| Material Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
|-
| Aero Propulsion and Power Laboratory<br/>Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
|-
| Armament Laboratory, Eglin AFB, FL
|-
| Rome Air Development Center<br/>Griffiss AFB, NY
| [[Rome Laboratory]]<br/>Griffiss AFB, NY
|-
| Human Resources Laboratory, Brooks AFB, TX
| rowspan=4 | [[Armstrong Laboratory]]<br/>Brooks AFB, TX
|-
| Harry G. Armstrong Aerospace<br/>Medical Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
|-
| Drug Testing Laboratory, Brooks AFB, TX
|-
| Occupational and Environmental<br/>Health Laboratory, Brooks AFB, TX
|-
|}

While the initial consolidation of Air Force laboratories reduced overhead and budgetary pressure, another push towards a unified laboratory structure came in the form of the [[National Defense Authorization Act]] for Fiscal Year 1996, Section 277. This section instructed the Department of Defense to produce a five-year plan for consolidation and restructuring of all defense laboratories.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/1124/text | title=S.1124 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, Section 277 | author=United States Congress | date=10 February 1996 | publisher=104th Congress, Second Session}}</ref> The currently existing laboratory structure was created in October 1997 through the consolidation of Phillips Laboratory headquartered in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], Wright Laboratory in [[Dayton, Ohio]], Rome Laboratory (formerly Rome Air Development Center) in [[Rome, New York]], and Armstrong Laboratory in [[San Antonio]], Texas and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 117</ref> The single laboratory concept was developed and championed by Maj Gen Richard Paul, who was Director of Science & Technology for AFMC and Gen Henry Viccellio Jr, and then became the first [[List of Commanders of Air Force Research Laboratory|Commander of AFRL]].<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 38</ref>

[[File:Afrl founding orgs.png|frame|center|Predecessor emblems of the AFRL]]

With the merger of the laboratories into a single entity, the history offices at each site ceased to maintain independent histories and all history functions were transferred to a central History Office located at AFRL HQ at [[Wright-Patterson AFB]].<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 257</ref> In homage to the predecessor laboratories, the new organization named four of the research sites after the laboratories and assured that each laboratory's history would be preserved as inactivated units.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 261</ref>

In 2023, the [[National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence]] was completed to help the Laboratory, private companies, and local academics collaborate on the research of [[eVTOL]] and [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAS]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=Ribbon cut on National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence |url=https://www.aol.com/news/ribbon-cut-national-advanced-air-035900099.html |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-09 |title=National AAM Center of Excellence officially opens |url=https://www.compositesworld.com/news/national-aam-center-of-excellence-officially-opens |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Composites World |language=en}}</ref>

==Organization==
[[File:afrl sites.jpg|thumb|right|AFRL sites]]

The laboratory is divided into eight Technical Directorates, one wing, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) based on different areas of research. AFOSR is primarily a funding body for external research while the other directorates perform research in-house or under contract to external entities.<ref name="factsheet"/>

A directorate is roughly equivalent to a military [[wing (air force unit)|wing]]. Each directorate is composed of a number of [[division (military)|division]]s and typically has at least three support divisions in addition to its research divisions.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 190</ref> The Operations and Integration Division provides the directorate with well-conceived and executed business computing, human resource management, and business development services while the Financial Management Division manages the financial resources and the Procurement Division provides an in-house contracting capability.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 227–251</ref> The support divisions at any given location frequently work together to minimize overhead at any given research site. Each division is then further broken down into branches, roughly equivalent to a military [[Squadron (army)|squadron]].

Superimposed on the overall AFRL structure are the eight detachments. Each [[detachment (military)|detachment]] is composed of the AFRL military personnel at any given geographical location.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 262</ref> For example, the personnel at Wright-Patterson AFB are all part of Detachment 1. Each detachment will typically also have a unit commander separate from the directorate and division structure.

===Headquarters AFRL===
Located at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, AFRL Headquarters houses the commanders and staff for the laboratories (q.v.).  Its primary responsibilities are leadership, policy and guidance; unifying the common objectives of the eight Technical Directorates, the 711th wing, and AFOSR.  The staff functions include Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Business Outreach, Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE), Technology Transition, Transformation, Contracting and a High-Performance Computing Center.  HQ also includes the '''Center for Rapid Innovation''', which handles urgent operational requests from commanders of [[Air Force Space Command]], [[Air Force Global Strike Command]], [[Air Mobility Command]], and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/362225/how-the-air-force-takes-tech-from-r-d-to-warfighter-readines |title=How the Air Force Takes Tech From R&D to Warfighter Readiness |website=pcmag.com |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref>

===Air Force Office of Scientific Research===
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), located in [[Arlington, Virginia]], invests in basic research efforts for the Air Force by funding investigation in relevant scientific areas.<ref name="factsheet"/> This work is performed in cooperation with private industry, academia, and other organizations in the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] and AFRL Directorates.

AFOSR's research is organized into four scientific directorates: the Engineering and Complex Systems Directorate; the Information and Networks Directorate; the Physical Sciences Directorate; and the Chemistry and Biological Sciences Directorate.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Welcome/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/842026/| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161128131858/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Welcome/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/842026| url-status= dead| archive-date= 28 November 2016| title= AFOSR – Research Areas| access-date= 3 December 2018| author= US Air Force| publisher= AFRL}}</ref> Each directorate funds research activities that it believes will enable the technological superiority of the Air Force.

AFOSR also maintains three foreign technology offices located in London, UK (the European Office of Aerospace Research & Development), [[Tokyo]], Japan, and [[Santiago]], Chile. These overseas offices coordinate with the international scientific and engineering community to allow for better collaboration between the community and Air Force personnel.<ref name="afosr">{{cite web | url=http://www.wpafb.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8971 | title=Factsheets : AFOSR : About – Mission | access-date=22 June 2008 | author=US Air Force | publisher=AFRL | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516130205/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8971 | archive-date=16 May 2008 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

AFOSR is one of the sponsors of the [[University Nanosatellite Program]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/UNP/ |title=University Nanosatellite Program |publisher=AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613145010/http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/UNP/ |archive-date=13 June 2008  }}</ref>

===Air Vehicles Directorate===
[[File:Martin X-24B USAF.jpg|thumb|right|Martin Marietta X-24B]]

The Air Vehicles Directorate, located at Wright-Patterson AFB, has the mission of developing technologies that support cost-effective and survivable aerospace vehicles capable of accurate and quick delivery of a variety of future weapons or cargo anywhere.<ref name="factsheet"/> The current director is Col Michael Hatfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl/rb/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805212641/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl/rb/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012|title=Air Force Research Laboratory|website=www.wpafb.af.mil}}</ref>

The Directorate has previously collaborated with [[NASA]] in the [[Martin-Marietta X-24|X-24]] project to research concepts associated with [[lifting body]] type aircraft.<ref name="Reed 1997 129–143">{{cite book | last=Reed | first=R. Dale | title=Wingless Flight: The Lifting Body Story |date=June 1997 | publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration | isbn=0-16-049390-0 | pages=129–143 | ref=Reed97}}</ref> The X-24 was one of a series of experimental aircraft, including the [[NASA M2-F1|M2-F1]], [[M2-F2]], [[HL-10]], and [[HL-20]], by NASA and Air Force programs to develop the lifting body concept into maturity. The tests conducted during these programs led to the choice of an unpowered landing for the [[Space Shuttle orbiter|Space Shuttle]] program.<ref name="Reed 1997: 128">[[#Reed97|Reed 1997]]: 128</ref>

[[File:X-37 spacecraft, artist's rendition.jpeg|thumb|left|Artist's rendition of the X-37.]]
In 2002, the Directorate initiated the [[X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing]] program in cooperation with NASA's [[Dryden Flight Research Center]] and [[Boeing Phantom Works]] to research ways to make more efficient use of the wing surface during high-speed maneuvers.<ref name="Cole">{{cite web | url=http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2002/may/i_pw.html | title=Let's Twist Again! : Technology that enables wing 'warping' rolled out at Dryden | access-date=29 June 2008 | last=Cole | first=William | work=Boeing Frontiers Online | publisher=Boeing | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905074900/http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2002/may/i_pw.html | archive-date=5 September 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Directorate is also a collaborator with [[DARPA]], the U.S. Air Force [[Space and Missile Systems Center]], [[Sandia National Laboratories]] and AFRL's [[AFRL#Space Vehicles Directorate|Space Vehicles Directorate]] on the [[Force Application and Launch from Continental United States|FALCON]] program, which includes the [[Blackswift|HTV-3X Blackswift]] [[hypersonic]] flight demonstration vehicle.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/060126_darpa_falcon.html | title=Air Force Plans Flight Tests of Hypersonic Vehicle | last=David | first=Leonard | work=Space.com | date=26 January 2006 | access-date=20 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080706080239/http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/060126_darpa_falcon.html| archive-date= 6 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Air Vehicles Directorate also collaborated with NASA and [[Boeing]] on the initial work for the [[Boeing X-37|X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle]] and the 80% scaled version, [[Boeing X-40|X-40A Space Maneuver Vehicle]], prior to the classification of the program and its transfer from NASA to DARPA in late 2004.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.space.com/news/061117_x27b_otv.html | title=U.S. Air Force Pushes For Orbital Test Vehicle | last=David | first=Leonard | date=17 November 2006 | access-date=19 July 2008 | work=Space.com| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080724132321/http://www.space.com/news/061117_x27b_otv.html| archive-date= 24 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The X-37 program is now managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.

Another recent project managed by the Air Vehicles Directorate is the [[Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft]] program begun in 2007.<ref name="AFRL">{{cite web | url=https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/BAA-Det1-AFRLPKV-07-04/listing.html | title=Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft Flight Demonstrator Solicitation | author=AFRL | publisher=FedBizOps | date=22 January 2007 | access-date=7 March 2009}}</ref> This is an experimental, composite aircraft program with a goal of demonstrating the feasibility of the development of a cargo airframe constructed primary of light-weight composite materials.<ref name="Welch">{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2008-03-20-new-plane_N.htm | title=Prototype plane uses composites in new way | last=Welch | first=William | work=USA Today | access-date=7 March 2009 | date=21 March 2008 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503214813/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2008-03-20-new-plane_N.htm | archive-date=3 May 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> AFRL intends to gain X-plane designation for the program once flight tests begin.<ref name="Warwick">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a65918845-aaa6-42f3-adb8-895b2b26d513 | title=Skunk Works' Cargo X-Plane Complete | last=Warwick | first=Graham | magazine=Aviation Week | access-date=7 March 2009 | date=6 March 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322020101/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:65918845-aaa6-42f3-adb8-895b2b26d513 | archive-date=22 March 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The {{currency|250000000|US}} [[VTHL]] [[Reusable Booster System]] program was initiated by the [[USAF]] in 2010.<ref name=rlvst20100920>{{cite news |title=Air Force studying reusable upper stage systems for reusable booster |url=http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=23692 |access-date=24 March 2011 |newspaper=RLV and Space Transport News |date=20 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724204127/http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=23692 |archive-date=24 July 2011  }}</ref><ref name=dbj20110322>{{cite news |last=Cogliano |title=Air Force launches $250M reusable booster initiative |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2011/03/22/air-force-launches-250m-reusable.html |access-date=24 March 2011 |newspaper=Dayton Business Journal |date=22 March 2011 |quote=Officials anticipate awarding up to three contracts for the project, where winners would compete for individual tasks of experiments and demonstrations that address technology, processes and other attributes of a reusable booster system, or RBS.  Air Force officials envision an RBS that includes a reusable rocket and an expendable upper stage rocket. The reusable rocket would be launched vertically and return, landing aircraft style on a runway, after carrying the space craft to a point where the expendable rocket could take over. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325022643/http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2011/03/22/air-force-launches-250m-reusable.html |archive-date=25 March 2011  }}</ref>

In 2012, the Air Vehicles Directorate merged with the Propulsion Directorate to become Aerospace Systems Directorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/story/id/ |title=wpafb.af.mil |access-date=15 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309233339/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123307634 |archive-date=9 March 2013  }}</ref>

===Directed Energy Directorate===
[[File:YAL-1A Airborne Laser unstowed crop.jpg|thumb|YAL-1 in flight]]
[[File:PHASR Rifle.jpg|thumb|A US dazzler style weapon]]
In addition to serving as the Air Force's Center of Excellence for high power microwave technology, the Directed Energy Directorate is also the Department of Defense's Center of Expertise for laser development of all types.<ref name="factsheet"/> The current director is Susan Thornton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=9402 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616085221/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=9402 |archive-date=16 June 2009 |title=Biographies : SUSAN J. THORNTON}}</ref>

The [[Starfire Optical Range]] at [[Kirtland AFB]], [[North Oscura Peak]] on [[White Sands Missile Range]], and the [[Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing observatory]] (AMOS) are also operated by divisions of the Directed Energy Directorate in addition to their facilities at the Directorate's headquarters at Kirtland AFB.<ref name="factsheet"/> The Starfire Optical Range is used to research various topics of advanced tracking using lasers as well as studies of atmospheric physics which examines atmospheric effects which can distort laser beams.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/06/28/starfire-optical-range-a-death-ray-for-sciences-sake/ | title=Starfire Optical Range – a death ray for science's sake | access-date=20 July 2008 | last=Miller | first=Paul | date=28 June 2006 | publisher=Engadget | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502042526/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/28/starfire-optical-range-a-death-ray-for-sciences-sake/ | archive-date=2 May 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> North Oscura Peak is used to research the various technologies necessary to facilitate successful tracking and destruction of an incoming missile via a laser and is used frequently for laser-based missile defense tests.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/oscura.htm | title=Oscura Range | author=GlobalSecurity.org | publisher=GlobalSecurity.org | access-date=19 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080711170034/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/oscura.htm| archive-date= 11 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> AMOS provides space observation capabilities and computational resources to AFRL, the Department of Defense and other agencies of the US Government.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/amos.htm | title=Air Force Maui Optical Station | author=Federation of American Scientists | access-date=19 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080708214537/http://fas.org/spp/military/program/track/amos.htm| archive-date= 8 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Directed Energy projects typically fall into two categories: [[laser]] and [[microwave]]. Laser projects range from completely non-lethal targeting lasers to [[dazzler (weapon)|dazzler]]s, such as the Saber 203 used by US forces during the [[Somali Civil War]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}, and the more recent [[Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response rifle|PHaSR]] dazzler,<ref name="phasr">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8275 | title=US military sets laser PHASRs to stun | access-date=2 July 2008 | last=Knight | first=Will | date=7 November 2005 | magazine=New Scientist | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418165916/http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8275 | archive-date=18 April 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> to powerful missile defense lasers such as the [[chemical oxygen iodine laser]] (COIL) used in the [[Boeing YAL-1|YAL-1A]] project now led by the [[Missile Defense Agency]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/abl.htm | title=Airborne Laser | access-date=17 July 2008 | author=GlobalSecurity.org | publisher=GlobalSecurity.org | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710120730/http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/abl.htm | archive-date=10 July 2008 | url-status=live }}</ref> A continuation of the Airborne Laser experiment is also being conducted in the form of the [[Advanced Tactical Laser]], which is a [[Air Force Special Operations Command|Special Forces]] demonstrator project to mount a COIL system in a tactical [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130]] gunship.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-06/advanced-tactical-laser | title=Advanced Tactical Laser | date=1 June 2004 | access-date=17 July 2008 | last=Adams | first=Eric | magazine=Popular Science | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228015238/http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-06/advanced-tactical-laser | archive-date=28 February 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Microwave technologies are being advanced for use against both electronics and personnel. One example of an anti-personnel microwave project is the "less-than-lethal" [[Active Denial System]], which uses high-powered microwaves to penetrate less than a millimeter into the target's skin, where the nerve endings are located.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1540562/US-unveils-%27heat-gun%27.html | access-date=17 July 2008 | title=US unveils 'heat gun' | last=Hooper | first=Duncan | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=UK | date=26 January 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615125840/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1540562/US-unveils-%27heat-gun%27.html | archive-date=15 June 2008 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Going back as far as 1995, there were arguments that laser dazzlers could potentially cause permanent blindness in targets, and these same concerns were revived with the announcement of the PHaSR project, which is claimed to be a non-blinding laser weapon.<ref name="phasr"/> Due to concerns that even low-powered lasers could cause blindness, the [[Human Rights Watch]] proposed that all tactical laser weapons should be scrapped and research stopped by all interested governments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Us2.htm | title=U.S. Blinding Laser Weapons | access-date=5 July 2008 | date=May 1995 | work=Human Rights Watch Arms Project | publisher=Human Rights Watch | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711084715/http://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Us2.htm | archive-date=11 July 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Active Denial System has also been the target of [[Amnesty International]] as well as, less directly, a United Nations special rapporteur as being a potential weapon of torture.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2006/oct/05/guardianweeklytechnologysection | title=Targeting the pain business | access-date=5 July 2008 | date=5 October 2006 |work=The Guardian |location=UK | last=Wright | first=Steve| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080603160517/http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/oct/05/guardianweeklytechnologysection| archive-date= 3 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===711th Human Performance Wing===
In March 2008, AFRL's Human Effectiveness Directorate located at Wright-Patterson AFB was merged with the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and the Human Performance Integration Directorate from the [[311th Human Systems Wing]] both located at [[Brooks City-Base]], Texas to form the [[711th Human Performance Wing]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/01/28/daily19.html | title=$230M of construction headed to Wright-Patt | date=30 January 2008 | access-date=26 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080614013644/http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/01/28/daily19.html| archive-date= 14 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> In its vision statement, the wing includes the goals of improving aerospace medicine, science and technology, and human systems integration.<ref name="factsheet"/> The current Commander of the 711th is Brig. Gen. Timothy Jex.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7548 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613221838/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7548 |archive-date=13 June 2009 |title=Biographies : THOMAS S. WELLS}}</ref>

One practical application of its work is ensuring and advancing the safety of ejection systems for pilots.<ref name="success99">{{cite web | url=http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA286991 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618173334/http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA286991 | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 June 2009 | title=Air Force Research Laboratories Success Stories: A Review of 1997/1998 | author=US Air Force | publisher=AFRL | access-date=13 July 2008 |date=March 1999}}</ref> With the increasing number of females in the Air Force ranks, [[anthropometry]] is of greater import now than ever, and 711th's WB4 'whole-body scanner' enables swift and accurate acquisition of anthropometric data which may be used to design pilot equipment with a better fit for comfort and safety.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cyberware.com/news/newsletters/newsletter06.html | title=Wright-Patterson to Use the First Whole Body Scanner | access-date=13 July 2008 | author=Cyberware| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080706125624/http://www.cyberware.com/news/newsletters/newsletter06.html| archive-date= 6 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===Information Directorate===
The mission of the Information Directorate, located at the Rome Research Site on the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in [[Rome, New York]], is to lead the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting information technologies for air, space, and cyberspace forces.<ref name="factsheet"/> The current director of the Information Directorate is Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Welcome/Biographies/Display/Article/1605653/timothy-j-lawrence/ | title=Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence | author=U.S. Air Force | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Information Directorate has contributed research to a number of technologies which have been deployed in the field. These projects include collaboration with other agencies in the development of [[ARPANET]], the predecessor of the Internet, as well as technologies used in the [[E-8 Joint STARS|Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System]] which is a key aspect of theater command and control for combat commanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080416-042.ppt |title=AFRL Information Directorate Overview |access-date=22 June 2008 |author=US Air Force |format=PPT |publisher=AFRL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227163223/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080416-042.ppt |archive-date=27 February 2009 }}</ref> The Directorate also collaborated with the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] performing research on [[voice stress analysis]] technologies.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/193832.pdf | title=Integration and Evaluation of Voice Stress Analysis Technology | access-date=20 July 2008 | date=13 February 2002 | last=Haddad | first=Darren | publisher=Office of Justice Programs | display-authors=etal | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715005953/http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/193832.pdf | archive-date=15 July 2006 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Materials and Manufacturing Directorate===
The Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, located at Wright-Patterson AFB and [[Tyndall AFB]], develops materials, processes, and advanced manufacturing technologies for [[Aerospace engineering|aerospace]] systems and their components to improve Air Force capabilities in these areas.<ref name="factsheet"/> The current director is Mr. Darrell K. Phillipson.<ref name="AFRL Munitions Directorate">{{cite web|url=https://www.afrl.af.mil/RW/|title=AFRL Munitions Directorate|website=www.eglin.af.mil}}</ref>

In 1962, The Directorate began the search for high performance magnets. In 1969, Dr. Karl J. Strnat and his team had determined that a Yttrium Cobalt (YCo5)  and the AFRL awarded contracts for manufacturing.<ref name="AFRL Rare Earth Magnets">{{cite report|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA528970.pdf |title="Breakthrough" Technologies Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and Its Predecessors|date=December 21, 2005 |publisher=Air Force Research Laboratory |access-date=December 4, 2025}}</ref>  This was the first [[Rare-earth magnet]]. In 2003, the Directorate announced a new manufacturing method for use producing the turbine exhaust casing for the [[Pratt & Whitney F119|F119 jet engine]] used on the [[F-22 Raptor]] stealth fighter which will result in an estimated savings of 35% of the cost while also improving the durability.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/f119.htm | title=F119-PW-100 | author=GlobalSecurity.org | access-date=20 July 2008 | publisher=GlobalSecurity.org| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080711223040/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/f119.htm| archive-date= 11 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> In collaboration with [[Lockheed Martin Aeronautics]], the Directorate helped develop a new laser-based ultrasonic scanner to inspect composite parts also for use on the F-22.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/1998/LockheedMartinConstructingLaserUltr.html | title=Lockheed Martin Constructing Laser Ultrasonics Center at Tactical Aircraft Systems Plant | last=Lamberton | first=Lance | date=28 April 1998 | access-date=20 July 2008 | publisher=Lockheed Martin | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619111921/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/1998/LockheedMartinConstructingLaserUltr.html | archive-date=19 June 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Directorate also developed an advanced [[thermoplastic]] composite material for use in the [[landing gear]] doors on the F-22.<ref name="success99"/> In 2008, the Air Force announced that the Directorate had developed a method of using fabric made of fiber optic material in a [[identification friend or foe|friend or foe identification system]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Feb20/0,4670,FriendlyFiber,00.html | title=Clothing IDs Friends for Military | last=Hannah | first=James | agency=Associated Press | date=20 February 2008 | access-date=20 July 2008 | work=Fox News | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108023503/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Feb20/0,4670,FriendlyFiber,00.html | archive-date=8 January 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Munitions Directorate===
The mission of the Munitions Directorate, located at [[Eglin AFB]], Florida, is to "develop, demonstrate and transition 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."<ref name="factsheet"/> The current director of the Munitions Directorate is Colonel Woodrow "Tony" Meeks.<ref name="AFRL Munitions Directorate"/>

Notable projects which have been made public include the [[GBU-28]] "bunker-buster" bomb which debuted during the 1991 [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] in Iraq and took only 17 days from concept to first deployment.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/gbu-28.htm | title=Guided Bomb Unit-28 | publisher=GlobalSecurity.org | author=GlobalSecurity.org | access-date=21 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080709082732/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/gbu-28.htm| archive-date= 9 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Directorate also developed the [[GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb]] which was deployed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq for [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] and was the largest non-nuclear air-delivered munitions at that time.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/moab.htm | title=GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb | author=GlobalSecurity.org | access-date=18 July 2008 | publisher=GlobalSecurity.org| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080719115323/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/moab.htm| archive-date= 19 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===Propulsion Directorate===
[[File:RS-68 Rocket Engine.jpg|thumb|right|RS-68 rocket engine test firing at [[Edwards Air Force Base]]]]
The mission of the Propulsion Directorate, located at Wright-Patterson AFB and [[Edwards Air Force Base]], is "to create and transition propulsion and power technology for military dominance of air and space."<ref name="factsheet"/> The current director of the Propulsion Directorate is Douglas L. Bowers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7788 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616081121/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7788 |archive-date=16 June 2009 |title=Biographies : DOUGLAS L. BOWERS}}</ref>

Research areas range from experimental rocket propulsion to developing the first ever [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion main aircraft battery]] for use in the [[B-2 Spirit|B-2]] [[stealth technology|stealth]] bomber. At Edwards AFB, the [[Edwards Air Force Base#Air Force Rocket Research Laboratory|Directorate's test area]] is located east of Rogers Lake.

The Propulsion Directorate was formed through the merger of the aerospace propulsion section at Wright Laboratory and the space propulsion section at Phillips Laboratory.<ref>[[#Duffner00|Duffner 2000]]: 169</ref> Each section, both before and after the merger, has played a significant role in past and present propulsion systems. Prior to the development of [[Apollo program|Project Apollo]] by NASA, the Air Force worked on the development and testing of the [[F-1 (rocket engine)|F-1 rocket engine]] used to power the [[Saturn V]] rocket.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stormingmedia.us/cat/sub/subcat136-3.html | title=Huge Rocket Component Test Stand Completed | author=California Space Authority | date=14 January 2004 | access-date=18 July 2008 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618211146/http://www.stormingmedia.us/cat/sub/subcat136-3.html | archive-date=18 June 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The facilities for testing rockets are frequently used for testing new rocket engines including the [[RS-68]] rocket engine developed for use on the [[Delta IV]] launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROCKET+LAB+MAY+BENEFIT+FROM+RENEWED+INTEREST+IN+MISSILES+EDWARDS...-a079092149 | title=Rocket Lab May Benefit From Renewed Interest in Missiles Edwards Facility Has Been Involved in Most Major Propulsion Projects | last=Skeen | first=Jim | date=13 August 2001 | access-date=18 July 2008 | newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News | archive-date=18 November 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118044556/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROCKET%20LAB%20MAY%20BENEFIT%20FROM%20RENEWED%20INTEREST%20IN%20MISSILES%20EDWARDS...-a079092149 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The space propulsion area also develops technologies for use in satellites on-orbit to alter their orbits. An AFRL-developed experimental [[Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion|Electric Propulsion]] Space Experiment [[arcjet rocket|arcjet]] was flown on the [[P91-1 ARGOS|ARGOS]] satellite in 1999 as part of the Air Force [[Space Test Program]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1999/news_release_990106a.html | title=ARGOS Satellite Serves as Platform for Leading-Edge Technology and Research | author=Boeing | date=6 January 1999 | access-date=18 July 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611112852/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1999/news_release_990106a.html | archive-date=11 June 2008 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Directorate currently manages the [[Boeing X-51|X-51A]] program, which is developing a [[scramjet]] demonstration vehicle.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q2/070601a_nr.html | title=Successful Design Review and Engine Test Bring Boeing X-51A Closer to Flight | access-date=14 June 2008 | author=Boeing | date=1 June 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611210339/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q2/070601a_nr.html | archive-date=11 June 2008 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The X-51 program is working to develop a flight demonstrator for a [[hypersonic]] [[cruise missile]] which could reach anywhere on the globe in an hour.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4203874.html | title=Hypersonic Cruise Missile: America's New Global Strike Weapon | date=January 2007 | last=Shachtman | first=Noah | magazine=Popular Mechanics | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919173828/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4203874.html | archive-date=19 September 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In January 2008, the Directorate used a modified [[Scaled Composites]] [[Rutan Long-EZ|Long-EZ]] aircraft to demonstrate that a [[pulse detonation engine]] could successfully power flight.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/03/05/222008/us-afrl-proves-pulse-detonation-engine-can-power-aircraft.html | title=US AFRL proves pulse-detonation engine can power aircraft | access-date=19 July 2008 | last=Warwick | first=Graham | work=Flightglobal| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080629202610/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/03/05/222008/us-afrl-proves-pulse-detonation-engine-can-power-aircraft.html| archive-date= 29 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> That aircraft has now been transferred to the [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]] at Wright-Patterson AFB for display.

===Sensors Directorate===
The mission of the Sensors Directorate, located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 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 and 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.<ref name="factsheet"/> As of July 9, 2021, the current director is Amanda Gentry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFRL Sensors Directorate welcomes Amanda Gentry as new director |url=https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2694022/afrl-sensors-directorate-welcomes-amanda-gentry-as-new-director/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=ONE AFRL / TWO SERVICES |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AMANDA GENTRY |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2700011/amanda-gentry/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=www.af.mil |language=en-US}}</ref>

The divisions formerly located at Hanscom AFB and Rome Research Site moved to Wright-Patterson AFB under the Defense [[Base Realignment and Closure, 2005]] Commission.<ref name="brac2005">{{cite web | url=http://www.brac.gov/docs/final/Volume1BRACReport.pdf | title=2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission Report: Volume 1 | last=Principi | first=Anthony J. | access-date=16 July 2008 | date=8 September 2005 | display-authors=etal | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109022524/http://www.brac.gov/docs/final/Volume1BRACReport.pdf | archive-date=9 January 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Directorate has contributed significantly to the [[Integrated Sensor is Structure]] (ISIS) project managed by DARPA which is a project to develop a missile tracking airship.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/AFRL_Awards_ISIS_Contracts_To_Northrop_Grumman.html | title=AFRL Awards ISIS Contracts To Northrop Grumman | date=22 May 2006 | access-date=11 July 2008 | author=Staff Writers | publisher=Space Daily | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617224313/http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/AFRL_Awards_ISIS_Contracts_To_Northrop_Grumman.html | archive-date=17 June 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In June 2008, the Air Force announced that scientists working for the Sensors Directorate had demonstrated transparent [[transistor]]s. These could eventually be used to develop technologies such as "video image displays and coatings for windows, visors and windshields; electrical interconnects for future integrated multi-mode, [[remote sensing]], focal plane arrays; high-speed microwave devices and circuits for telecommunications and radar transceivers; and semi-transparent, touch-sensitive screens for emerging multi-touch interface technologies."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Air_Force_Scientists_Develop_Transparent_Transistors_999.html | title=Air Force Scientists Develop Transparent Transistors | last=Lachance | first=Molly | date=19 June 2008 | access-date=11 July 2008 | publisher=Space Mart | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522184326/http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Air_Force_Scientists_Develop_Transparent_Transistors_999.html | archive-date=22 May 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Space Vehicles Directorate===
[[File:CNOFS.jpg|thumb|left|Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System ([[C/NOFS]])]]

The mission of the Space Vehicles Directorate is to develop and transition space technologies for more effective, more affordable warfighter missions.<ref name="factsheet"/> In addition to the Directorate headquarters at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico and an additional research facility at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, the [[High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program]] (HAARP) located near [[Gakona, Alaska]] is also jointly operated by the Space Vehicles Directorate as well as DARPA, the [[Office of Naval Research]] (ONR), the [[United States Naval Research Laboratory|Naval Research Laboratory]] (NRL) and universities to conduct [[ionospheric]] research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/factSheet.html |title=HAARP Fact Sheet |author=University of Alaska |access-date=16 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007235012/http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/factSheet.html |archive-date=7 October 2009 }}</ref> The current director is Col David Goldstein.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kirtland.af.mil/afrl_vs/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704025229/http://www.kirtland.af.mil/afrl_vs/ |archive-date=4 July 2007 |title=Kirtland Air Force Base - AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate}}</ref> The Battlespace Environment Division formerly located at Hanscom AFB moved to a new Research lab facility at Kirtland AFB in 2011–2012 as directed under the Defense [[Base Realignment and Closure, 2005]] Commission.<ref name="brac2005"/>

The [[IBM RAD6000]] [[radiation hardened]] [[single board computer]], now produced by [[BAE Systems]], was initially developed in a collaboration with the Space Electronics and Protection Branch and [[IBM]] Federal Systems and is now used on nearly 200 satellites and robotic spacecraft, including on the twin [[Mars Exploration Rover]]s—''[[Spirit rover|Spirit]]'' and ''[[Opportunity rover|Opportunity]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.securityfocus.com/news/7894 | title=Software on Mars rovers 'space qualified' | last=Fordahl | first=Matthew | access-date=16 July 2008 | agency=Associated Press | date=23 January 2004 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430002517/http://www.securityfocus.com/news/7894 | archive-date=30 April 2006 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In November 2005, the AFRL [[XSS 11|XSS-11]] satellite demonstrator received [[Popular Science]]'s "Best of What's New" award in the Aviation and Space category.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown2005/aviationspace/5c1c1d15cc827010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html | title=Experimental Satellite System 11 (XSS-11) | access-date=6 July 2008 | archive-date=12 December 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212011540/http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown2005/aviationspace/5c1c1d15cc827010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html |date=October 2005 | magazine=Popular Science}}</ref> The Space Vehicles Directorate is also a leading collaborator in the Department of Defense [[Operationally Responsive Space Office]]'s [[Tactical Satellite Program]] and served as program manager for the development of [[TacSat-2]], [[TacSat-3]], and is current program manager for the development of [[TacSat-5]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last=Doyne | first=Col Tom | title=ORS and TacSat Activities Including the Emerging ORS Enterprise | journal=5th AIAA Responsive Space Conference | date=23 April 2007 | url=http://www.responsivespace.com/Papers/RS5%5CSESSION%20PAPERS%5CSESSION%204%5C4001_HURLEY%5C4001P.PDF | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227163245/http://www.responsivespace.com/Papers/RS5%5CSESSION%20PAPERS%5CSESSION%204%5C4001_HURLEY%5C4001P.PDF | url-status=dead | archive-date=27 February 2009 | access-date=16 July 2008 | display-authors=etal }}</ref> They also have contributed experimental sensors to [[TacSat-4]] which is managed by the NRL's Center for Space Technology.<ref>{{Cite journal | last=Raymond | first=Col Jay | title=A TacSat Update and the ORS/JWS Standard Bus | journal=3rd AIAA Responsive Space Conference | date=26 April 2005 | url=http://www.responsivespace.com/Papers/RS3%5CSESSION%20PAPERS%5CSESSION%201%5C1006-HURLEY%5C1006C.pdf | access-date=16 July 2008 | display-authors=etal | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515233354/http://www.responsivespace.com/Papers/RS3/SESSION%20PAPERS/SESSION%201/1006-HURLEY/1006C.pdf | archive-date=15 May 2006 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:TacSat-3.png|thumb|TacSat-3 computer model]]

The [[University Nanosatellite Program]], a satellite design and fabrication competition for universities jointly administered by the [[American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics]] (AIAA), AFOSR, AFRL, and the [[Space Development and Test Wing]], is also managed by the Space Vehicles Directorate's Spacecraft Technology division.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/UNP/index.html | title=University Nanosatellite Program | access-date=22 June 2008 | author=US Air Force | publisher=AFRL | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613185503/http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/UNP/index.html | archive-date=13 June 2008 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The fourth iteration of the competition was completed in March 2007 with the selection of [[Cornell University]]'s [[Cornell University Satellite|CUSat]] as the winner.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Cornell_University_Chosen_To_Build_Nanosat_4_Flight_Experiment_999.html | title=Cornell University Chosen To Build Nanosat-4 Flight Experiment | access-date=10 July 2008 | author=Staff Writers | date=4 April 2007 | publisher=Space Daily | url-status=live | archive-url=https://archive.today/20080719202232/http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Cornell_University_Chosen_To_Build_Nanosat_4_Flight_Experiment_999.html | archive-date=19 July 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Previous winners of the competition were [[University of Texas at Austin]]'s [[Formation Autonomy Spacecraft with Thrust, Relnav, Attitude, and Crosslink]] (FASTRAC) for Nanosat-3<ref>{{cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2005/01/21/University/Students.Satellites.Win.Right.To.Space.Flight-837585.shtml | archive-url=https://archive.today/20090618235359/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2005/01/21/University/Students.Satellites.Win.Right.To.Space.Flight-837585.shtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=2009-06-18 | title=Students' satellites win right to space flight | last=Torres | first=Juliana | newspaper=The Daily Texan | date=21 January 2005 | access-date=13 July 2008 }}</ref> and the joint [[3 Corner Satellite]] (3CS) project by the [[University of Colorado at Boulder]], [[Arizona State University]] and [[New Mexico State University]] for Nanosat-2.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://threecornersat.jpl.nasa.gov/ | title=Three Corner Satellite | access-date=13 July 2008 | author=NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | publisher=NASA | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218104041/http://threecornersat.jpl.nasa.gov/ | archive-date=18 February 2013 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> {{As of|2008|July}}, only the 3CS spacecraft has launched,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/041211-delta.htm | title=Delta IV readyfor liftoff today | last=Spires | first=Shelby G. | work=The Huntsville Times| date=11 December 2004 | access-date=26 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080617040604/http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/041211-delta.htm| archive-date= 17 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> however FASTRAC has a launch tentatively scheduled for December 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fastrac.ae.utexas.edu/news/archive.php?news_id=28 | title=FASTRAC Satellites Get Updated Software, New Antennas | access-date=15 July 2008 | date=26 June 2008 | last=Clark | first=Stephen | publisher=University of Texas at Austin | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618152005/http://fastrac.ae.utexas.edu/news/archive.php?news_id=28 | archive-date=18 June 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Directorate has indirectly faced significant controversy over the HAARP project.<ref>{{cite book | last=Begich | first=Nick |author2=Manning, Jeane | title=Angels Don't Play This HAARP: Advances in Tesla Technology | year=1995 | publisher=Earthpulse Press | isbn=0-9648812-0-9}}</ref> While the project claims to be developed only for studying the effects of ionospheric disruption on communications, navigation, and power systems, many suspect it of being developed as a prototype for a [[Strategic Defense Initiative|"Star Wars"]] type of weapon system.<ref>{{cite book | last=Smith | first=Jerry E. | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CfXjAR0LlTQC&q=HAARP+controversy | title=HAARP: The Ultimate Weapon of The Conspiracy |date=August 1998 | publisher=Adventures Unlimited Press | access-date=13 July 2008 | isbn=0-932813-53-4 | pages=21–22 | ref=Smith98}}</ref> Still others are more concerned with the environmental impact to migratory birds of beaming thousands of watts of power into the atmosphere.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/gallery/2008-06/scientific-tool-or-weapon-conspiracy | title=Scientific Tool or Weapon of Conspiracy? | access-date=16 July 2008 | date=18 June 2008 | last=Streep | first=Abe | magazine=Popular Science| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080715112925/http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/gallery/2008-06/scientific-tool-or-weapon-conspiracy| archive-date= 15 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2020, the Space Vehicles Directorate announced the creation of a new Deployable Structures Laboratory (DeSel) focused on developing high-strength materials and satellite structures at Kirtland Air Force Base.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Freedberg|first=Sydney J. Jr.|title=AFRL's Newest Lab Aims At Building Things In Space|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2020/11/afrls-newest-lab-aims-at-building-things-in-space/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Breaking Defense|date=3 November 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

==List of commanders==
{{main|List of Commanders of Air Force Research Laboratory}}

* Maj Gen [[Ellen M. Pawlikowski]], February 2010 – May 2011.
* Maj Gen [[Neil McCasland|William N. McCasland]], May 2011 – July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/104776/major-general-william-n-mccasland/|title = Major General William N. Mccasland}}</ref>
* Maj Gen [[Thomas J. Masiello]], July 2013 – May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108071/major-general-thomas-j-masiello/|title = Major General Thomas J. Masiello}}</ref>
* Maj Gen [[Robert D. McMurry Jr.]], May 2016 – May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108605/robert-d-mcmurry-jr/|title=Robert D. McMurry Jr.}}</ref>
* Maj Gen [[William T. Cooley]], May 2017 – January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/579032/major-general-william-t-cooley.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101071228/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/579032/major-general-william-t-cooley.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2020|title = Major General William T. Cooley}}</ref>
* Brig Gen [[Evan Dertien]], January 2020 – June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1217356/evan-c-dertien/|title = Major General Evan C. Dertien}}</ref>
* Maj Gen [[Heather L. Pringle]], June 2020 – June 2023<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1554624/heather-l-pringle/|title=Heather L. Pringle}}</ref>
* Maj Gen [[Scott A. Cain]], June 2023 – July 2024
* Brig Gen [[Jason E. Bartolomei]], July 2024 – present<ref>{{cite web|last=Gnau|first=Jason|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/air-force-research-laboratory-is-set-to-welcome-a-new-commander/CM766FLPANCG3HLJELCT5FNKOQ/|title=Air Force Research Laboratory is set to welcome a new commander|date=2024-06-25|access-date=2024-07-10|website=[[Dayton Daily News]]}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[DARPA]]
* [[Marine Corps Combat Development Command]]
* [[Office of Naval Research]]
* [[Sentient (intelligence analysis system)]]
* [[United States Army Research Laboratory]]
* [[United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory]]
* [[United States Naval Research Laboratory]]

==References==
{{Reflist | 2}}

*{{cite web
|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA164501.pdf
|title=CHRONOLOGY From the Cambridge Field Stations to the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory 1945–1985
|last=Liebowitz
|first=Ruth P.
|publisher=Air Force Geophysics Laboratory
|location=Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, MA
|access-date=18 December 2013
|archive-date=19 December 2013
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219010420/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA164501
|url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Harrington |first= John V. |year=1983 |title=Radar Data Transmission |journal=Annals of the History of Computing |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=370–374 |doi=10.1109/mahc.1983.10100 |s2cid=7227862 }}
; Attribution
* {{USGovernment|url=http://www.afrl.af.mil|agency=United States Air Force}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/AFRL/ Air Force Research Laboratory Homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322043331/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl/ |date=22 March 2014 }} (official)

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