Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL This is the official Facebook presence for Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Air Force or Department of War.

The AFRL page is a public and open forum intended to share and discuss AFRL people and technologies. Because this is a family-friendly public forum, we ask that you adhere to the following posting guidelines. Non-compliance will result in removal of your message(s) and possible banishment from our community.

• Comments or links that are graphic, obscene, explicit, or racially-charged are

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• Comments or links that suggest or encourage illegal activity are not allowed. Ultimately, YOU are responsible for your comments, your username, and any information you provide. The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. For official information about the Air Force Research Laboratory, please visit our website https://afresearchlab.com/

The Air Force Research Laboratory had the distinguished privilege of hosting the retirement of Brig. Gen. Jason E. Barto...
06/04/2026

The Air Force Research Laboratory had the distinguished privilege of hosting the retirement of Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei, outgoing Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, today, June 4, 2026, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Under Brig. Gen. Bartolomei’s leadership, AFRL underwent its most significant organizational redesign in nearly 30 years to deliver decisive technological advantages at speed and scale. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Program Executive Officer for Weapons and held multiple senior acquisition positions, culminating a career of distinguished service since his commissioning in 1997.

Aim High, Brig. Gen. Bartolomei!

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The Air Force Research Laboratory welcomes Brig. Gen. Douglas P. “Beaker” Wickert, who assumed command of AFRL from Brig...
06/04/2026

The Air Force Research Laboratory welcomes Brig. Gen. Douglas P. “Beaker” Wickert, who assumed command of AFRL from Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei.

Under Brig. Gen. Bartolomei’s leadership, AFRL underwent its most significant organizational redesign in nearly 30 years, transforming into a highly integrated, mission-focused enterprise postured to deliver decisive technological advantages at speed and scale.

Now, Brig. Gen. Wickert takes the helm of this science, technology, and innovation enterprise. Under his leadership AFRL will continue to accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of war-winning systems for our Airmen and Guardians.

We thank Brig. Gen. Bartolomei for his vision to "win the future again and again," and we look forward to reaching new heights under Brig. Gen. Wickert's command.

https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4508510/afrl-welcomes-new-commander-during-change-of-command-ceremony/


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Today is the deadline to apply to AFRL's 2027 Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP)!University students studying ...
05/31/2026

Today is the deadline to apply to AFRL's 2027 Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP)!

University students studying STEM fields looking to expand their expertise with a more hands-on approach should take heed.

This program pushes student teams to modify small gas turbine engines and innovate on current turbine engine designs in a specific manner, depending on that year's specific challenge.

They aren't alone though - an expert from the government will be placed with each team to mentor and assist all the way up until the official conference poster session takes off at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force next year.

Apply before days end via the link in our comments.

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Fly, fight, and win...airpower anytime, anywhere.The mission statement of the United States Air Force is clear in its ob...
05/28/2026

Fly, fight, and win...airpower anytime, anywhere.

The mission statement of the United States Air Force is clear in its objectives and time and time again executes them.

This is accomplished through the brave airmen who proudly serve within the Air Force itself, and the brilliant minds at AFRL to ensure advantage in the battlespace.

Through the AFRL Reorganization, this objective is being refined by the newly formed Air Warfare Directorate, composed of our former Munitions and Aerospace Systems Directorates.

Learn more about the other 6 mission directorates in the comments.

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Memorial Day.A day we dedicate to those in the armed services who gave their lives in pursuit of the ultimate mission, p...
05/25/2026

Memorial Day.

A day we dedicate to those in the armed services who gave their lives in pursuit of the ultimate mission, protecting the United States and her allies during times of consequence.

We will never forget the price they paid and the citizens they helped protect.

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Understanding AFRL's major reorganization requires understanding the seven mission organizations that now constitute it....
05/22/2026

Understanding AFRL's major reorganization requires understanding the seven mission organizations that now constitute it.

Over the next few weeks, we plan to delve into each of these directorates to help you better understand how they are aiding AFRL in accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of high-impact technologies.

And what better place to start than where novel ideas and new discoveries converge: the Foundational Technologies Directorate.

This "foundational" approach takes a holistic look at the scientific knowledge and breakthroughs that underpin AFRL technologies to champion basic research and pervasive scientific advancement. This approach aligns elements of our 711th Human Performance Wing, the AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the former Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.

Click through our link in the comments to learn more of what's to come.

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If you're a university student studying engineering or a related field, have you applied to the next round of AFRL's Aer...
05/22/2026

If you're a university student studying engineering or a related field, have you applied to the next round of AFRL's Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP)?

Still on the fence? Well, if you're someone who enjoys the following, maybe it's time to send in that application:

✅Hands-on learning with real (small) engines
✅Teamwork with other like-minded students
✅Collaboration with a STEM expert in government
✅Fantastic bullet points on your resume
..And getting to visit the world's largest military aviation museum to boot? If one or more of these apply to you, learn more about how you or someone you know can apply today before the May 31st deadline via our link in the comments.

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With this year's Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP) event well below the horizon, it's time we look forward to...
05/08/2026

With this year's Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP) event well below the horizon, it's time we look forward to next year's challenge.💪

For those unfamiliar, APOP is a program that puts university backed engineering students to work attempting to modify small gas turbine engines to innovate on current turbine engine designs.

And they get an expert mentor from within the government to assist up until the 18th annual conference poster session takes place.

Check out how you, or someone you know, can apply today before the May, 31st deadline via our link in the comments.⬇️⬇️⬇️

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, AFRL has stepped into its most significant change since its formation almost 30 years ago!This effort is supported by...
05/07/2026

, AFRL has stepped into its most significant change since its formation almost 30 years ago!

This effort is supported by two key pillars, guiding both present and future plans for the organization to accelerate the delivery of war-winning systems:

🔹Vision: Win the Future (again, again,..again)!
🔹Mission: to Discover, Develop and Deliver high-impact science & technology for air, space and cyber domains.

That's why AFRL is restructuring into seven mission-focused organizations, allowing for more seamless integration with the acquisition community, improve overall responsiveness and to eliminate duplicative overhead.

All of this while retaining technical expertise to better position the lab to deliver battlespace advantage.

Read more about the new mission organizations and the ethos behind this exciting new epoch in the comments.

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A major milestone for space tech! AFRL worked with a team from ThermAvant Technologies to make Oscillating Heat Pipes (O...
05/06/2026

A major milestone for space tech!

AFRL worked with a team from ThermAvant Technologies to make Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs) now a proven, space-suitable technology, de-risked and ready for integration into mission-critical spacecraft.

OHPs offer a reliable and lightweight solution for thermal management in high-power systems, paving the way for next-generation payloads.

This innovative technology is already being incorporated into future space applications.

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https://www.afrl.af.mil/

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