News

June 13, 2022
Directed Energy leader recaps time in AFRL, looks ahead to Space position

Dr. Kelly Hammett, who has led the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate for the past six years, departed AFRL June 6 for his new assignment as director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), both located on Kirtland AFB. “I will miss bragging on the Directed Energy
June 9, 2022
New AFRL virtual range to bring directed energy capabilities to warfighters

The Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate has awarded a contract, the largest award of its kind, to BlueHalo to build a directed energy modeling and simulation virtual range.
May 25, 2022
AFRL partners with New Mexico State University to test cooling solutions for directed energy weapons

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) - The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, Directed Energy Directorate recently signed a five-year Strategic Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) with New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces that extends the loan of a laser diode system NMSU will use
Feb. 10, 2022
AFRL holds directed energy/kinetic energy wargaming experiment

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) - The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate hosted a collaborative wargame with its sister AFRL unit, the Munitions Directorate, at Kirtland AFB, Jan. 24-28, 2022. The Directed Energy and Kinetic Energy Directed Energy Utility Concept
Jan. 5, 2022
AFRL detects moon around asteroid with smallest telescope yet

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) - On November 29, 2021, an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Starfire Optical Range (SOR)* telescope on Kirtland Air Force Base near Albuquerque, New Mexico, recorded an image of asteroid (22) Kalliope, and its natural satellite Linus. A confirming image was
Dec. 21, 2021
AFRL donates laser optics equipment to UNM

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory donated optics experiment materials, valued at $1 million to the University of New Mexico (UNM) to provide a state-of-the-art learning experience for graduate students.The laser equipment will be used in the Experimental Optics
Dec. 2, 2021
AFRL upholds 20-year tradition of hosting Thanksgiving feast for pararescue students

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO (AFRL) - As the nation celebrated the 400th anniversary of Thanksgiving, the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Contracting Divisions carried on a 20-year tradition of providing a Thanksgiving feast to the more than 100 Air Force
Oct. 29, 2021
AFRL Kirtland researchers win prized awards

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – Air Force Research Laboratory commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle held a virtual ceremony October 25 from AFRL headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio to recognize the AFRL Fellows and AFRL Science and Engineering Early Career Awards winners for 2021. The
Sept. 14, 2021
AFRL breaks ground on high-tech wargaming facility

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M (AFRL). - The Air Force Research Laboratory broke ground on a $6 million, 10,685 square foot laboratory, September 8 that will advance wargaming and simulation, and analysis for AFRL’s Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates located on Kirtland Air Force
June 15, 2021
Senator Martin Heinrich visits AFRL- advanced solar power initiatives

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) visited the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR) project, to learn more about the program designed to collect solar power from space and beam it to the ground for a reliable, alternative source of energy.