AFMC News

March 17, 2022
Innovative partnership connects SBIR awardees with Air Force programs

The third iteration of The U.S. Air Force Lab with MassChallenge program concluded with a virtual demo event on Zoom March 16.
March 14, 2022
U.S. Air Force, BETA Technologies make history with first Airman flight of an electric aircraft through AFWERX Agility Prime Program

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) – United States Air Force pilots Hank “Hog” Griffiths and Maj. Jonathan Appleby flew BETA Technologies’ electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, ALIA, as the first-ever Airmen to fly an electric aircraft with a military airworthiness March
Jan. 28, 2022
AEDC engineers assist with SBIR effort researching noise reduction of aircraft engines

Through a Small Business Innovative Research contract awarded to MetroLaser, Inc., by the U.S. Navy, a system is being developed to measure the gas velocity of engine exhaust to help find ways to reduce noise from aircraft.Bernie Williamson, Air Force project manager, explained that in November the
Dec. 20, 2021
Virtual reality capability used during sensor validation in AEDC test cell

When performing sensor validation tests in the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Sea Level Test Cell 1, or SL-1, this summer, AEDC engineers at Arnold Air Force Base had the opportunity to view in nearly real-time a three-dimensional representation of the test hardware and support systems using
Nov. 22, 2021
AFWERX Agility Prime – A New Era of Aerospace

ARLINGTON, Texas (AFRL) – AFWERX Agility Prime, launched in April 2020, is the Air Force’s collaborative initiative to work with the industrial base on testing and experimentation, accelerating development of the commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft industry while
Aug. 2, 2021
AEDC tests directed energy system in wind tunnel

The Aerodynamics Branch of Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base is helping the Air Force take directed energy (DE) systems airborne.DE systems use high-energy lasers or microwaves to degrade or destroy threats and targets. “There is a growing interest for directed energy
July 19, 2021
SBIR effort to enhance measurement of hypersonic wind tunnel velocities demonstrated at Tunnel 9

The measurement of velocity in a hypersonic wind tunnel facility is no easy feat.Along with the difficulties posed by the extremely high speeds, the measurement process must be non-intrusive to prevent disturbance of the flow field, a possibility that is only heightened due to the low densities
March 30, 2021
Proven accelerator program welcomes second cohort

With a tested model in place, organizers of The U.S. Air Force Lab with MassChallenge program, a two-year pilot project designed to increase non-traditional participation in Small Business Innovative Research program opportunities, announced its second cohort March 30.Atomic-6, BoatBox Technologies,
Feb. 16, 2021
AEDC Aeropropulsion team augments AFWERX Rapid Test Technique Development effort

The Arnold Engineering Development Complex Aeropropulsion Combined Test Force team at Arnold Air Force Base has become involved with AFWERX to explore ways to reduce the time required to prepare to test new U.S. Air Force turbine engines.AFWERX is an Air Force initiative started in 2017 to foster a
Feb. 3, 2021
AEDC Aeropropulsion personnel testing software to aid in structural analysis

Structural testing of new turbine engine designs can result in terabytes of data recorded from hundreds of sensors. This data - collected during High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) characterization tests – traditionally required experts months to analyze and determine if the engine is safe to operate in an
Dec. 21, 2020
AEDC hypersonic tests to benefit from improvements to emissivity measurement accuracy

As hypersonic vehicle development heats up, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Aerothermal Measurements Laboratory (ATML) is preparing to help test engineers know just how hot it is getting.When a vehicle travels at high rates of speed, friction of the air against the vehicle generates heat
Dec. 16, 2020
Air Force to host advanced manufacturing and sustainment technologies Virtual Collider Event

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio - The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate is holding a special Collider Event on Jan. 12, in response to the latest Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) open topic
Dec. 4, 2020
AFRL-small business partnership offers help in tight situations

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – As nearly every homeowner or backyard mechanic knows, performing repairs in tight spaces can be tricky at best, and potentially dangerous at worst. For aircraft maintainers, the hazards can be much more complex. To help address these issues, the Air Force
Oct. 15, 2020
AFWERX announces Reimagining Energy Challenge for Department of Defense

AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation catalyst, announces the Reimagining Energy for the DOD Challenge, seeking solutions to create the future of resilient energy production, transmission, use and storage. The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently the largest energy consumer globally. By reducing
June 2, 2020
AFVentures Fellowship forges connections between military, Silicon Valley

The inaugural AFVentures Fellowship brought together 21 Airmen to be trained in investment and risk management to strengthen their ability to develop and deliver essential capabilities to the Air Force’s mission from February 10 to March 20.

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