March 16, 2026 AFRL, UC Health unveil $10M Military Trauma Training Facility to bolster medical readiness In a significant move to enhance the readiness of military medical personnel, the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing and the University of Cincinnati (UC) Health celebrated the grand opening of the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS)
March 12, 2026 AFRL, Ursa Major perform flight demonstration of Draper Liquid Rocket Engine The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Ursa Major recently executed a flight of the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD) powered by the Draper liquid rocket engine, achieving supersonic speeds and demonstrating concepts of operations. This flight is an innovative step in the
Jan. 8, 2026 At Beale AFB, recently mandated Enlisted Foundations Courses Feature VR Technology Beale Air Force Base’s (AFB) Recce-U recently acquired virtual reality (VR) technology to be implemented in the Air Force Enlisted Airmanship Continuum Foundation Courses. These Foundations Courses, introduced in October 2023, became mandatory prerequisites to the Enlisted Professional Military
Dec. 5, 2025 AFRL invention deployed by Maryland State Police A mobile medical documentation tool developed by Air Force Research Laboratory researchers is now deployed and being tested on Maryland State Police medevac helicopters. This marks the first time medical providers are using BATDOK to document and transfer civilian patients in the U.S.
Sept. 19, 2025 Air Force experiments with AI, boosts battle management speed and accuracy The Air Force wrapped up the second Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming, known as DASH 2, a fast-paced experiment exploring how artificial intelligence can help operators make faster, smarter decisions in complex battlespaces.
Sept. 3, 2025 Autonomous aircraft capabilities showcased by AFWERX, Joby at Department-Level Exercise AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, partnered with Joby Aviation to demonstrate autonomous aircraft capabilities with a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan during Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), July 24-30, 2025. REFORPAC
Aug. 27, 2025 Autonomy Proving Ground advances with first alternative navigation flight First time aircraft flew with a third-party developer’s software package operating on the aircraft.
Aug. 12, 2025 AFRL's NTS-3 Vanguard Set for Launch Aboard ULA Vulcan Rocket The Department of the Air Force (DAF) launches the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) Vanguard on the USSF-106 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Aug. 12, 2025. NTS-3 is a payload for the first U.S. national security launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan
July 28, 2025 AFRL welcomes new Space Vehicles director Col. Richard R. Beckman assumed command as director of the Space Vehicles Directorate and commander of the Phillips Research Site, Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, July 15, 2025.
July 11, 2025 Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation The 805th Combat Training Squadron, or Shadow Operations Center-Nellis, completed another major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence, and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force and command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base,