U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC) has conducted a successful test of the Rapid Dragon pallet system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory space camera is inspired by a hunting dragonfly.
Space

By Brian Everstine
The service seeks shift from one-for-one replacement of KC-135s and C-17s to a series of aircraft, from the basic to the exquisite.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Garrett Reim
Dubbed the Collaborative Low-Altitude UAS Integration Effort (CLUE), the system was developed by AFRL’s Information Directorate.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
A stealthy flying wing aircraft powered by a hybrid diesel-electric engine will be built and flown by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. by 2026.
Paris Air Show

By Guy Norris
The generator could be used to support the growing onboard electric power demands of advanced military mission systems, avionics and high-energy weapons.
Paris Air Show

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Navy wants to prepare new materials for hypersonic thermal protection systems that are cheaper and easier to build than carbon-carbon.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
On the path to developing autonomous, high-performance, uncrewed combat aircraft, the U.S. Air Force now has tools for early testing and experimentation.
Paris Air Show

By Garrett Reim
The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded contracts to L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman to develop communications systems.
Connected Aerospace

By Steve Trimble
A request for information published May 31 adds both technologies to a narrower, previous SDA description of the Tranche 2 experimental program.
Space

By Steve Trimble
A defense industry-sponsored report reveals that U.S. manufacturers cannot meet planned production and cost targets for a new class of hypersonic weapons.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
One or more experimental aircraft could start flying in 2027 to prove the feasibility of a transporter that can speed up like a jet and land like a helicopter.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The fiscal 2024 budget request shows the Air Force wants to revive the flight demonstration program five years after testing an initial version of the aircraft.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare