News

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
March 31, 2022
Four AFRL researchers honored for 2021 STEM accomplishments

Four scientists and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory earned accolades as winners of 2021 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Awards. This prestigious honor from the office of the Air Force Chief Scientist Dr. Victoria Coleman and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science,
Nov. 30, 2021
AFRL’s drone killer, THOR wins Popular Science “Best of” award

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is celebrating the success of its counter drone weapon, the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR), after being named the Popular Science “Best of What’s New” in the security category.
Nov. 3, 2021
AFRL partners with UNM for new Directed Energy Center

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate is partnering with The University of New Mexico (UNM) to establish a center for directed energy studies, a congressionally-funded endeavor. The Directed Energy Center will be based at UNM and jointly managed
June 8, 2021
AFRL’s THOR hammers drones in new video animation

The Air Force Research Laboratory has created a new video animation that realistically depicts THOR (Tactical High-power Operational Responder) destroying swarms of enemy drones in a base defense scenario.
April 12, 2021
Behind the scenes of AFRL technology deployment—HELWS2

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – Behind the scenes of nearly every military effort is a team of scientists and engineers working to ensure service members are fully equipped to carry out the national defense strategy– and when the Air Force deployed the High Energy Laser Weapons System 2
April 4, 2021
AFRL scientist selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) - "I joined the Air Force twice," stated 1st Lt. James Wymer, who recently received notice he has been selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) through the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2021 Undergraduate Flying Training Selection Board. Wymer is a physicist
March 23, 2021
AFRL Directed Energy Industry Days— rolling out new rapid contracting vehicle

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) - The Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate will host a Virtual Briefing for Industry to introduce the new Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER), Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) April 13 – 14 from 10 a.m. to noon
March 5, 2021
AFRL Space Vehicles, Directed Energy Directorate personnel honored

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) - The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles and Directed Energy Directorates honored the outstanding achievements of 70 Air Force and Space Force individuals and teams during their 2020 Phillips Research Site Annual Awards. The virtual ceremony was held
Feb. 23, 2021
Army partners with Air Force’s THOR for base defense

THOR is a prototype directed energy weapon used to disable the electronics in drones, and specifically engineered to counter multiple targets – such as a drone swarm – with rapid results. The technology is housed in a 20-foot-long shipping container that can be stowed in a military cargo plane and