Air Force
Founded in 1997, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) would seem to be the newcomer of the pack, but that’s not the case. It actually was created from five research facilities across the country in the interest of having a central administration point, at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Today, the AFRL is even more far-flung, employing nearly 6,000 government personnel, including 1,400 military personnel and more than 4,000 civilian workers at its diverse nationwide directorates.
■ At headquarters, the focus is on high-speed computing, which is brought to bear on problems slower systems can’t solve.
■ The Air Force Office of Scientific Research concentrates on long-term basic research in aerospace science and engineering at a facility in Arlington, Va.
■ The Air Vehicles Directorate pushes the technology envelope to ensure U.S. dominance in military air power.
■ The Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland AFB, N.M., works with high-power microwaves, lasers, adaptive optics, and imaging for both air and space applications.
■ The 711th Human Performance Wing at Brooks City-Base, Texas, is integrating advanced aerospace technology with the human factor.
■ The Information Directorate in Rome, N.Y., develops and integrates advanced communication, networking, and information-transfer fixes.
■ The Materials and Manufacturing Directorate finds and develops new materials, processes and manufacturing techniques for aerospace vehicles and other systems.
■ The Munitions Directorate at Eglin AFB, Fla., conducts basic research into and development of new types of air-launched weaponry for air and space targets.
■ The Propulsion Directorate works with turbine and rocket engines to improve propulsion systems and develop new ways of moving aircraft and spacecraft.
■ The Sensors Directorate develops sensors for air and space reconnaissance, surveillance, precision engagement, and electronic warfare systems.
■ The Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB and Hanscomb AFB, Mass., is responsible for all aspects of space vehicle development.
“One area we’re very interested in is the concept of micro air vehicles,” says Dr. Leslie Perkins, an AFRL engineer. “We’re not re-magining nature as much as taking inspiration from it, creating a small vehicle that can do more things at a local level.” The goal is to make a bird-sized aerodrone inconspicuous enough to fly over and even into enemy-held buildings for reconnaissance purposes.
Another initiative aims to reduce the cost of aircraft operations using biofuels. “We’re working on taking a naturally derived substance — algae, for instance — and turning it into a fuel that can be used by aircraft,” says Perkins. “You don’t have the logistics train associated with the petroleum industry, plus it’s a renewable resource and easier on the environment. It could result in big savings for the Air Force and the taxpayer.”
Coast Guard
The smallest lab in the armed forces — its Research and Development Center (RDC) in New London, Conn., is the branch’s sole research facility — the Coast Guard’s Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation program is working on at least 80 projects at any one time. As a part of the Department of Homeland Security, its main focus is in developing maritime mobility, safety, and security solutions, as well as national defense and protection of the country’s natural resources.
Its projects concentrate on acquisition, support, and analysis; aviation; C4ISR (command, communication, computers, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance); environment and waterway; modeling and simulation; surface; and test and evaluation. That’s a tall order, but Bert Macesker, RDC executive director, says the Coast Guard has been pursuing the latest technologies to advance its mission since its founding in 1790.
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DECEMBER 2012 MILITARY OFFICER 65
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