News & Events

AFRL Conducts Second Successful Robot Refueler Test
The AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate recently marked the second successful test of technology that could dramatically change the way the US military services its aircraft.

Logistics System Release Transforms Combat Support
The previously used, stove-piped systems often resulted in duplicated effort, non-standardized reporting, and data integrity issues.

Army Assessing Contoured Batteries for Dismounted Soldiers
The U.S. Army is leveraging its annual C4ISR integrated capabilities event at Fort Dix to assess a contoured, rechargeable battery that will allow the Soldier to be more agile in the battlefield.

Army Deploys Innovative Battery-Recharging Kit
The Army has begun deploying battery-recharging kits that run on renewable energy to Afghanistan.

NATO Plan Ties Afghan Economy to Growth of Forces
The economic power of military-fueled industry has been illustrated throughout history, and it looks like the growth of the Afghan National Security Forces will be a boon to developing industries in Afghanistan.

AFRL Test Marks Return to "In-House" Rocket Fuel Development
AFRL has tested rockets of all sizes and fuels of all make-ups for years. What makes this test unique is that all components of the test were developed at the laboratory by AFRL employees.

AFMC Announces Robert T. Mason Award Nominees
The Robert T. Mason Award is sponsored by OSD and is presented to the outstanding program from a major Air Force, Army, Navy or Marine organic depot-level facility that exemplifies responsive depot-level maintenance support to DoD operating units.

Fighter Engine Bio-Fuel Testing Underway
An F110 engine that powers the F-16 Fighting Falcon began performance testing June 18th at Arnold Engineering Development Center using a 50/50 blend of JP-8 conventional fuel and a bio-fuel derived from the oil contained in camelina plant seeds.

Army Begins Shipping New 5.56mm Cartridge
On 23 June 2010, the Army announced it had started shipping its new 5.56mm cartridge, the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, to support warfighters in Afghanistan.

Academy's Wave Energy Research Faces Major Test in 2011
In order to harness power from ocean waves it is necessary to create a system that can survive in the open ocean.

Wind Tunnel Explores Dynamics of High-Speed Flight
At the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center White Oak site wind tunnels are used to simulate airspeed environments to test flight capabilities.

Tinker Maintained B-1 Milestone
The B-1 airframe, which is now scheduled to remain in operation until 2040, has an expansive history stretching back to the 1960s.

Tinker Squadron Extends Service Life of First Aircraft in Navy E-6 Fleet
Airmen from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron completed work geared towards extending the service life of the first of 16 Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft June 15.

Aviano Officials Tap Into Earth's Energy
Construction has started on a $680,000 geothermal plant in Italy. This geothermal plant will be the first of its kind used by the US Air Force in Europe.

Boeing Officials Bring 787 to Eglin AFB for Weather Tests
Officials at the McKinley Climatic Lab are hosting Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, for two weeks of cold and hot weather testing at Eglin AFB.

State of the Art Equipment Bridges the Gap
The Army Corps of Engineers, along with members of the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, tested a new bridge system April 28, 2010, at Fort Richardson, Alaska, to help the military travel across a wide variety of terrain quickly.

Tobyhanna Sharpens Talon Armament
Tobyhanna is meeting a short suspense to provide an installation kit that offers armored protection for a mine-detecting robot.

NMC Developing Comprehensive Solution to Improve Performance on Critical Submarine Component
The Navy Metalworking Center (NMC) is leading an effort to develop the necessary manufacturing practice required to implement an improved material that will increase performance and reduce costs for the maintenance of submarines.

Flight Tests Set Course for Improved Airborne Communication
A series of early March flight tests has validated a two-and-a-half year effort and set the course for significantly enhanced airborne communications capability.

Air Force Scientists Test, Develop Bio Jet Fuels
While the world searches for more efficient ways to fuel automobiles and create usable energy, Air Force scientists are looking for cleaner, more efficient ways to fuel the military's aircraft.

Additive Manufacturing Promises Engine Cost and Weight Reductions
Early results indicate that incorporating superalloy additive manufacturing methods into the production process will meet standards and likely reduce the cost/weight of forged engine cases.

Air Force Officials Take Step Toward Cleaner Fuel, Energy Independence
This first-ever feasibility flight demonstration using HRJ, a hydrocarbon synthetic jet fuel, created from animal fats and plant oils was conducted by members of the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB.

Global Hawk Wet Runway Testing Yields Positive Results
The 452nd Flight Test Squadron has been conducting its Global Hawk wet runway testing with positive results. The Global Hawk recently taxied down a 8,000-foot runway at 70 knots, coming smartly to a stop and thus completing the final testing phase.

ManTech/SBIR Effort Drills Into Time and Cost of JSF Production
Production of the JSF is becoming cheaper and more efficient thanks to an effort between ManTech and SBIR efforts.

Air Force Takes Step Toward Cleaner Fuel
As the aviation community looks to a future of independence from non-renewable energy sources, the Air Force is making historic strides in alternative fuels that will bring about positive economic and environmental outcomes.

Air Force-Funded Research is Shattering Traditional Notions of Laser Limits
AFOSR and NSF-funded professor, Dr. Zhang has demonstrated at the Univ. of California, Berkeley the world's smallest semiconductor laser, which may have applications to the Air Force in communication, computing and bio-hazard detection.

DTIC Online Access Controlled Launched
The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) launched DTIC Online Access Controlled - the newest addition to DTIC's Suite of Services.

Rapid Prototyping: State of the Art - Free Download
The digital version of the Rapid Prototyping State of the Art Report is now available for free. Learn more about the report and download it here.

AMMTIAC Offers ERA Training Workshop
AMMTIAC is now offering an ERA Workshop, which can be held at your facility, where we will conduct a three-day Strategic Enterprise Re-Architecting (ERA) session with your management team.