Air Force Research Lab Archives

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks speaks with reporters, during a visit to the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Hicks grapples with deficiencies in Pentagon’s R&D infrastructure

After visiting the Air Force Research Lab, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks confirmed that she’s keen to help drive the modernization of R&D facilities.

Aug 18, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

Deputy Secretary of Defense nominee Kathleen Hicks reacts to the start of her Senate confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C. Feb. 2, 2021. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

Hicks’ multi-state tour to focus on emerging and disruptive defense tech

Military technologies and strategic competition against China will be a primary focus for the deputy secretary of defense on her upcoming trip.

Aug 16, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

DOD eyeing ‘transformational’ edge computing, fog computing tech

Companies can apply for opportunities to present their technologies to Pentagon officials at a solutions meeting later this year.

Aug 8, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

An artist’s rendering of networked, collaborative and autonomous weapons, with each communicating with the others. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Chris Quinlan)

Air Force positions autonomous drones, networked weapon systems as top priorities

The Air Force is asking Congress for more than $100 million in additional R&D funding for autonomous drones and networked weapon systems.

Apr 12, 2022 By Jon Harper

Artist’s concept for NTS-3 in geostationary orbit (1st Lt. Jacob Lutz)

Air Force Research Lab to conduct more than 100 experiments with new navigation satellite

The Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) initiative comes at a time when GPS satellites, which the U.S. military, private sector and the average citizen depend on, are at…

Apr 7, 2022 By Jon Harper

Air Force Research Lab awards $500M contract for anti-drone tech

The service has signed the deal with PAR Government Systems.

Sep 28, 2021 By Jackson Barnett

DDS to transfer counter-drone capabilities to Air Force

Air Force Research Lab's NINJA counter-sUAS program will absorb the Defense Digital Service's drone-sensing capabilities.

Sep 10, 2021 By Billy Mitchell

Air Force testing microwave weapons to stop drones

The directed energy program could give the military tools to disable incoming drones.

Jul 30, 2021 By Jackson Barnett

The Air Force Research Laboratory and Kratos Defense; Security Solutions, Inc., completed the successful fourth flight of the XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, a long-range, high subsonic unmanned air vehicle, at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, on Jan. 23, 2020. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Air Force can now deploy drones from other drones

The Air Force Research Lab successfully launched a small unmanned system from a larger drone mid-flight, the lab said.

Apr 12, 2021 By Jackson Barnett

An F-15E Strike Eagle painted in the heritage colors of it’s P-47 Thunderbolt predecessor takes off from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England Feb 6. The 48th Fighter Wing officially unveiled the aircraft publicly during a ceremony on Jan 31. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)

Air Force builds digital twin for weapons with ABMS

The Air Force is using ABMS to help build digital twins, a move that pairs two top emerging technology priorities.

Jan 25, 2021 By Jackson Barnett