The Air Force has organizationally consolidated its four previously existing
laboratories and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) into a
single Air Force laboratory--the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The new,
streamlined organization is now effectively positioned to lead dynamic and
essential Air Force science and technology efforts well into the next century.
AFRL's mission is to be the Air Force agent for identifying and providing
advanced, affordable and integrated technologies that keep our Air Force the
best in the world. Its partners and teammates include both academia and industry,
with whom AFRL invests almost 80% of its budget in sponsored research and
development.
The following information offers a brief overview of the
research and technology development ongoing at the Air Force Research Laboratory
and related Air Force technology centers around the country.
It is intended to give you an idea of the breadth of research and development
performed by the Air Force. Furthermore, these technologies may be in any
stage of activity, ranging from basic research to engineering development.
This information will help you narrow down your search for the correct
Air Force point of contact in your particular field of scientific research or
engineering. The information specifies which technology areas are being pursued
at each of the Air Force Research Laboratory's ten directorates. It also lists
the name of each organization's Small Business representative along with a
telephone number for your convenience.
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
Bolling AFB, DC
Contact Major Larry Bradbury
Telephone (703)696-5904
Email larry.bradbury@afosr.af.mil
AFOSR directs the Air Force's basic research program. This includes research in
Physics, Electronics, Materials, Chemistry, Math and Computers, as well as
Biological Environmental Sciences and all engineering disciplines associated
with aerospace issues.
AEROSPACE AND MATERIAL SCIENCES:
- Structural mechanics
- Mechanics of materials
- Fluid mechanics
- Propulsion diagnostics
- External aerodynamics and hypersonics
- Turbulence and internal flows
- Airbreathing combustion
- Space power and propulsion
- Propulsion diagnostics
- Metallic structures materials
- Ceramics and non-metallic structural materials
- Organic matrix composites
CHEMISTRY AND LIFE SCIENCES:
- Chemical reactivity and synthesis
- Polymer chemistry
- Surface sciences
- Theoretical chemistry
- Molecular dynamics
- Chronobiology and neural adaptation
- Cognition
- Sensory systems
- Bioenvironmental sciences
PHYSICS AND ELECTRONICS:
- Electronic device components and circuits
- Optoelectronic information processing devices and systems
- Quantum electronic solids
- Semiconductor and electromagnetic materials
- Photonic physics
- Optics
- Atomic and molecular physics
- Plasma physics
MATHEMATICAL AND GEOSCIENCES:
- Dynamics and control
- Physical mathematics and applied analysis
- Computational mathematics
- Optimization and discrete mathematics
- Signal processing, probability and statistics
- Software and systems
- Artificial intelligence
- Electromagnetics
- Terrestrial sciences
- Meteorology
- Ionospheric research
- Space sciences
Air Vehicles Directorate
Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Contact Ms Madie Tillman
Telephone (937)255-5066
Email Madie.Tillman@afrl.af.mil
The Air Vehicles Directorate has responsibility for leading the Department
of Defense in the development and integration of Fixed-Wing Air Vehicle
Technologies.
AERONAUTICAL SCIENCES (aerodynamic configurations, computational sciences,
control science, and airframe/propulsion/weapon integration and flight
demonstration).
AEROSPACE STRUCTURES (aging aircraft, integrated design techniques
extreme environment structures, smart structures, low cost structures).
FLIGHT SYSTEMS (flight control systems; flight management systems; thermal
energy management systems; electro-mechanical subsystems; aircraft survivability;
fire suppression; and flight vehicle simulation).
Propulsion Directorate
Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Contact Mr Miguel Maldonado
Telephone (937)255-9394
Email miguel.maldonado@afrl.af.mil
The Propulsion Directorate mission is to create and transition propulsion and
power technology for the military dominance of air and space.
- Airbreathing engines (scramjets, turbine engine components, gas generators, and technology demonstrator engines)
- Rocket propulsion for air-launched and ballistic missiles, launch vehicles, upper stages, and satellites
- Combined cycle engines for flight over a broad range of speeds and altitudes
- Electric, solar, laser and other non-traditional forms of propulsion
- Propellants, fuels, and engine lubricants
- Aircraft and missile power (electrical and mechanical power generation, conditioning, and distribution; energy storage; and thermal management)
- Plasma physics and combustion science
Sensors Directorate
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Contact Bruce Johnson
Telephone 937-255-6453 ext 4106
Email bruce.johnson@afrl.af.mil
The Sensors Directorate is responsible for developing technologies to collect,
measure, and interpret important military information worldwide and deny the
enemy the same.
- Reconnaissance, Surveillance
- Radio Frequency Sensors and Countermeasures Technology
- Radar
- Electronic Warfare
- Antennas/Apertures
- Adaptive Processing
- Digital Receivers and Exciters
- Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensors and Countermeasures Technology
- Target Detection and Identification
- Electro-Optic/Infrared Threat Warning and Countermeasures
- Multi-Discriminant Sensing
- Multi-Function Sensing
- Automatic Target Recognition
- Sensor Fusion
- Target Modeling
- GPS Anti-Jam Technology
- Microelectronics
- Microwave and Components
- Electro-Optic Detectors
- Integrated Focal Plane Arrays
Materials & Manufacturing Directorate
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Contact Mr Marvin Gale
Telephone (937)656-9221
Email marvin.gale@afrl.af.mil
The Materials and Manufacturing Directorate mission is to plan and execute
the USAF program for materials and manufacturing processes in the areas of
basic research, exploratory development and advanced development. The Directorate
provides support to solve system-related problems and to transfer expertise in
the areas of materials and manufacturing processes.
MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING:
- Thermal protection materials
- Ceramic, metallic, and nonmetallic structural materials
- Aerospace propulsion materials
- Electronic and optical materials
- Laser-hardened materials
- Nondestructive testing
- Lightweight, superstrength structural materials and compounds
- Nonstructural materials including paints and coatings, elastomers, sealants, fluids and lubricants
- Spacecraft materials including thermal control materials and lightweight structural materials
- Manufacturing & Engineering Systems
- Metals/non-metals/Electronics Processing & Fabrication
- Advanced Industrial Practices
- Materials Process Design
- Affordability
- Lean Manufacturing
- Analytical services - supports environmental pollution control programs
- Bioenvironmental engineering - hazard abatement and pollution control radiation exposure histories for all AF personnel, noise and sonic boom effects
- Occupational medicine - occupational and environmental hazards
- Directed energy research - effects of electromagnetic & particulate radiation
- Toxicology research - hazards of chemicals and materials
- Environics - prevention of environmental problems and site restoration
- Air base systems
Munitions Directorate
Eglin AFB, FL
Contact Ms Paulette Risher
Telephone (850)882-8591
Email risherp@eglin.af.mil
The Munitions Directorate's mission is to develop, integrate, and transition
science and technology for air-launched munitions for defeating ground fixed,
mobile/relocatable, air, and space targets to assure the preeminence of U.S.
air and space forces.
ASSESSMENT:
- Computational Weapons Physics
- Lethality/Vulnerability Technology and Methodology Development
- Weapon Simulation and Analysis
EXPLOSIVES:
- Explosive Characterization
- Explosive Processing/Demilitarization
- High Energy Explosives
WEAPON INTEGRATION:
- Weapon Aerodynamics
- Weapon Structure
- Launcher Aircraft Interface
- Launcher Aircraft Weapon Integration
- Subsystem Integration
FUSES:
- Advanced Initiation
- Fuse Modeling & Simulation
- Proximity Fusing
GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION, AND CONTROL:
- Advanced Munitions Control
- Anti-Jam GPS
- Guidance and Control Laws
- Integrated Guidance
- Miniature Sensors
- Multi-Stage Guidance
- Tactical Inertial Navigational System
PROCESSOR/ALGORITHMS:
- Munitions Algorithms
- Munitions Processors
SEEKERS:
- Conformal Electronic Safety & Arming
- Hardware in the Loop
LADAR:
- Millimeter Wave
- Multimode Seekers
- Passive IR
- Synthetic Aperture Seekers
- Synthetic Scene Generators
WARHEAD:
- Agent Defeat
- Enhanced Lethal Mechanisms
- Ordnance Integration
- Warhead Design and Experimentation
- Warhead Materials Characterization
Human Effectiveness Directorate
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Contact Ms Linda Lange
Telephone (937) 255-2423 ext. 3603
Email linda.lange@afrl.af.mil OR
Contact Ms Janelle Larrison, Director of Small Business, HSW/BC
Telephone (210)536-5613
Email janelle.larrison@mirage.brooks.af.mil
The Human Effectiveness Directorate is responsible for human-centered science
and technology.
CREW SYSTEMS:
- Ergonomic and engineering anthropometric technologies
- Cognitive engineering design practices
- Aural and visual display interface systems criteria
- Collaborative systems techniques
- Human performance models, metrics, design tools, and simulation testbeds
- Proof-of-concept solutions for warfighter deficiencies
WARFIGHTER TRAINING:
- Advanced training concepts
- Distributed mission training technologies
- Warfighter training effectiveness measurements
- Synergistic collaborative training
- Night vision device training
- Intelligent and virtual training systems design demonstrations
DIRECTED ENERGY BIOEFFECTS:
- Biophysics of directed energy laser & radio frequency radiation interaction with tissues and organisms
- Development, interpretation, and application of directed energy guidelines
- Definitions of relationships of normal and altered mammalian functioning to mission performance
- Communicating operational impact of directed energy to operators, planners, and weapon system designers
- Deployment, Protection, and Sustainment
- Definition of human response to impact, sustained acceleration, vibration, noise, altitude, and toxic compounds/materials
- Design criteria for protective systems & countermeasures
- Chemical environment threat assessment
- Chemical and biological agent detection, protection, and decontamination technologies jointly with the Army
- Logistics readiness and sustainability
Directed Energy Directorate
Kirtland AFB, NM
Contact Ms Joan Fulkerson
Telephone (505)846-8515
Email joan.fulkerson@kirtland.af.mil
The mission of the Directed Energy Directorate is to develop, integrate and
transition science and technology for Directed Energy to include high-power
microwaves, lasers, adaptive optics, imaging and effects to assure the
preeminence of U.S. in air and space.
ADVANCED OPTICS AND IMAGING DIVISION: Develops techniques and technologies
to improve optical systems then transition those technologies to warfighter
commands, such as the USAF Airborne Laser.
HIGH-POWER MICROWAVE DIVISION: USAF center of excellence for high-power
microwave technologies, including hardware, systems, and hardening.
LASER DIVISION: Develops lasers including semiconductor, gas, chemical and
solid state technologies and transitions them to the warfighter.
STARFIRE OPTICAL RANGE DIVISION: Operates 3 large telescopes, multiple
lasers and adaptive optics systems in conducting research and development of
technology to control high-energy ground-based laser beams and high-resolution
imaging.
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT DIVISION: Assesses applications and effects
of directed energy technology systems
Space Vehicles Directorate
Kirtland AFB, NM
Contact Ms Joan Fulkerson
Telephone (505)846-8515
Email joan.fulkerson@kirtland.af.mil
The mission of the Space Vehicles Directorate is to innovate, develop,
integrate and transition science and technology for effective and affordable
space vehicles, launch vehicles and space concepts supporting America's Aerospace
Force.
AFRL/VS is organized into three divisions with the following responsibilities:
BATTLESPACE ENVIRONMENT DIVISION: Detect and understand aerospace environment
natural threats to warfighting systems and provide active and passive means
to eliminate/mitigate such threats.
SPACE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION & DEMONSTRATION DIVISION: Develop, integrate,
and demonstrate emerging military space concepts and vehicle
technologies-otherwise unavailable or not mature enough from commercial/civil
sources-in support of the Warfighter.
SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL DIVISION: Develop military focus technologies
for space based surveillance of space, air, and ground, and spacecraft
survivability from natural and manmade threats.
Information Directorate
Rome, NY
Contact Ms Janis Norelli
Telephone (315)330-3311
Email janis.norelli@rl.af.mil
The mission of the Information Directorate is the advancement and application
of information systems science and technology for Information Dominance and its
transition to air, space, and ground systems to meet customer needs.
- Dynamic Planning and Execution
- JFACC Battle Management
- Air Operations Planning
- Force Level Execution System
- CEE Sensor-to-User Demonstration
- Collaborative Planning Environments
- Collaborative Engineering Environment
- Modeling and Distributed Simulation
- Knowledge-Based Technology for Integrated Joint Force Campaign Management
- Evolutionary Design of Complex Software
- Intelligent Information Systems Technology
- Intelligent Agent Technology
- Embedded Software Technology
- Embedded High Performance Computing
- Adaptive/Reconfigurable/Scalable Information Systems
- Optimal Information System Design/Development
- Real-Time Signal Processor Enhancement
- Micro-Electromechanical Systems for C4I Applications
- Global Information Exchange
- Network Protocol
- Network Management and Control
- Distributed Information Infrastructure
- Distributed Environments
- Multilevel Security
- Intrusion/Malicious Code Detection
- Information Attack Mitigation
- COMSEC
- Multi-Band/Multi-Mode Radios
- LPI/AJ Waveforms
- Uninhabited Air Vehicles
- Satellite Communications
- Airborne Communications
- Global Awareness
- SIGINT Exploitation
- Information Fusion
- Mass Storage & Retrieval
- Speech/Audio Processing
- Information Data Handling
- Image/Video Exploitation
- Targeting Technology
PRDAS AND BAAS:
Program Research and Development Announcements (PRDAs) and Broad Agency
Announcements (BAAs) are solicitation methods for Research and Development
(R&D) efforts based on synopses published in the Commerce Business
Daily (CBD). BAAs and PRDAs are actual CBD solicitations for proposals,
based on stated Government technical needs/objectives, deliverables, criteria
for award, and other information necessary for proposal preparation and
eventual award.
BAAs and PRDAs are used when the Government desires new and creative
solutions to problem statements and/or advances in knowledge, understanding,
technology, state-of-the-art, etc. The Government states its objectives
in terms of areas of need or interest rather than specific solutions or
outcomes. Development of prototype hardware may be pursued under either
technique; however, such development must demonstrate a particular technical
approach or solution. BAAs and PRDAs are not for the purpose of acquiring
specific hardware that has already been defined or developed by the Government.
BAAs are used when the area of interest is broad in scope and more topical
in nature. BAAs are not used for research efforts related to specific
weapon systems or hardware development.
PRDAs are used when contracting for applied research and advanced technology
development that has general application and is not system specific
(e.g., not related to the development of a specific weapon system or a
specific hardware development effort).
ADVANTAGES:
The BAA/PRDA process offers several advantages over other source selection
processes. Advantages include:
a. BAA/PRDAs encourage creative and unique ideas by giving offerors the
flexibility to propose solutions to stated objectives/needs.
b. Offerors can respond to all or part of the areas of interest announced
in the CBD.
c. The Government may choose to procure all or part of an offeror's proposal.
The Government also has the flexibility to determine the appropriate
contractual instrument (e.g., contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or
other transaction).
d. The offeror defines the Statement of Work (SOW) in accordance with the
proposed solution to the Government-stated objectives.
e. Government technical focal point and industry representatives may
communicate with offerors until the technical evaluation is finalized.
Consult with the Contract Specialist prior to any such communications.
f. Acquisition time is reduced.