News

July 17, 2023
Hack-A-Sat’s Moonlighter satellite deploys to low earth orbit after last month’s successful launch

Moonlighter reached low earth orbit July 5 after a short visit at the International Space Station and is on track for its inaugural mission: to host an on-orbit cybersecurity challenge during Hack-A-Sat 4 finals, making it the first on-orbit Capture the Flag, or CTF, hacking competition.
July 12, 2023
AFRL Airlift Challenge tests AI-based logistics planning for future operations

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, hosted an Airlift Challenge competition in January 2023. This online competition is helping to advance state-of-the-art planning algorithms for executing airlift operations for the United States Air Force (USAF).
June 22, 2023
AFRL leads USSF Continuous Fitness Assessment study

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is conducting a two-year voluntary study with Guardians to assess the use of wearable fitness devices that measure physical activity. The study, which began enrollment in May 2023, is part of the U.S. Space Force’s Continuous Fitness Assessment, or CFA,
June 15, 2023
AFRL demonstrates new augmented reality capability to improve DAF nondestructive inspections

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, has developed an augmented reality capability to assist in accomplishing nondestructive inspections, or NDI, for safety critical applications in military aircraft. Research engineers in AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate designed the Augmented
June 13, 2023
AFRL collaborates with industry partner on in-theatre alternative to GPS

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, partnered with Luminous Cyber Corp. to develop a more resilient alternative to GPS for regions where coverage is not as reliable or where there is a risk of interference or jamming by malicious actors. Luminous develops alternative-position navigation and
June 7, 2023
AFRL researcher impacts community with runtime assurance

Dr. Kerianne Hobbs, with the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, was the lead author of a 38-page spread in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE, Control Systems Magazine, titled Runtime assurance for safety-critical systems: An introduction to safety filtering
May 31, 2023
A Mission Out of This World: The Benefield Anechoic Facility tests first space satellite in decades

The Benefield Anechoic Facility recently tested its first space satellite in decades. Anticipated to launch in late 2023, Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) will be the Department of Defense’s first experimental, integrated navigation satellite system in nearly 50 years.
May 30, 2023
AFRL completes flight tests for directed energy laser system beam director

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory completed a successful flight-test campaign for a new beam director concept that can be used with directed energy laser systems integrated onto aircraft.The Hybrid Aero-Effect Reducing Design with Realistic Optical
May 30, 2023
AFRL to welcome new lab commander during June ceremony

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) – Brig. Gen. Scott A. Cain will assume command of the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, during a change of command ceremony hosted by Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, June 5, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. at the National Museum
May 30, 2023
AFRL helps NASA test equipment for Artemis II mission

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, and NASA worked together over the last two weeks of April 2023 along with other industry partners, such as Lockheed Martin, to test the most current iteration of an astronaut crew seat and flight suit that will be used in the Orion spacecraft during future