Air Force Research Lab - AFRL

Official Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) X Account. #Science #Tech #Innovation for @USAirForce and @USSpaceForce. Follow/retweet ≠ endorsement.

[U.S. Air Force @usairforce]

On #VeteransDay, we honor the courage & sacrifice of all who have worn the uniform. Thank you to our veterans for securing our freedom & protecting our nation.

[SMART Scholarship @SMART_DoW]

A spacecraft propulsion concept first imagined in the 1960s just became reality thanks to the unique capabilities of the Space Propulsion Environment Facility at the Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Lab. The new system combines electric and chemical propulsion using one propellant, one tank and one feed system. Tested under orbit-like vacuum conditions at Edwards Air Force Base, California, it gives future space operators the flexibility to choose between efficient repositioning and faster maneuvers.

SMART scholars at Sponsoring Facilities like the Air Force Research Laboratory contribute to innovative work happening at world-class facilities that turn ideas into mission-ready technology.

Read more: https://t.co/OFeV30i6y4

#SMARTScholarship #SMARTopportunity #STEM #STEMCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #AirForce @DoW_STEM @AFResearchLab

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

Behind every stealth jet is an @AFOSR Program Officer who took a bold risk. In 1951, funding Joseph Keller's mathematical equations led to the F-117, B-2 & B-21.

Readiness begins when AFOSR has the technical foresight to back an unproven idea.

#AFResearchLab #AFOSR75 #Readiness

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

Fueling research with urgency. From CO to TX to AK, AFRL’s early-career scientists and engineers stepped onto active flight lines and command floors during "Operationalize the Lab 2.0: Protecting the Homeland."

https://t.co/3dWuBGyzq5

#AFResearchLab #Readiness #WarriorMindset

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

Interested in learning more? Check out our entire Discovery to Delivery series to better understand AFRL's role in ACPs and CCA: https://t.co/iuOktXb0EM (2/2)

#AFResearchLab | #AFRLCCA | #AFRLHistory | #USAirForce | #AFRLACP

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

The G3 Target Glider has a fascinating connection with today's collaborative combat aircraft, CCA, and autonomous collaborative platforms, ACP.

Glide into its fascinating history to get a glimpse into how much of this research began. (1/2)

#AFRL

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

“The first essential of air power is preeminence in research.” — Gen. Hap Arnold

75 years ago, @AFOSR was born to fulfill that mandate. Follow along as we trace 75 years of @usairforce & @USSpaceForce basic research that secures our edge.

#AFResearchLab #AFOSR75 #Readiness

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

Congratulations to our brilliant 2026 AFRL Fellows and Science and Engineering Early Career Award (ECA) awardees! Learn more about their accomplishments and recognition here: https://t.co/IcCMgTPRX4

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

Congratulations to this year's recipients of the @DeptofWar's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards.

Read the full press release here: https://t.co/2Y5P7CvuC6

The FUTURE begins with basic research.

#AFResearchLab | #AFOSR | #BasicResearch

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

As the F-117 joins @airandspace's Steven F. Udvar-Hay Center, we trace its lineage to its origin ➤ Air Force basic mathematical research.

On AFOSR’s 75th anniversary, discover how one of its earliest grants led to this stealth icon: https://t.co/qzraiThfgu

[U.S. Air Force Materiel Command ✈️ @HQ_AFMC]

🚀The @usairforce awarded @LockheedMartin a $694 million contract for the production and fielding of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon. The contract was executed under the @DeptofWar to modernize America’s Arsenal of Freedom. #readiness

https://t.co/2BlAwe8bRG

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

@aircombatcmd @usairforce Learn more about how AFRL is advancing autonomous technology with the XQ-67A: https://t.co/iMAToTKR0G

#AFResearchLab | #Readiness | #AFRLTech

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

#AFRL and @aircombatcmd are refining the @usairforce's deterrence capabilities with the recent flight of the XQ-67A under the Demonstration of ACP Performance and Effectiveness (Demon APE) project. The effort integrates advanced mission systems to support resilient, layered C2.🦾

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

AFRL is proud to complete this test and will be analyzing results to refine Rocket Cargo as a capability for the Joint Force.

#AFResearchLab | #RocketCargo | #Readiness

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

With support from @SpaceX, the AFRL agile cargo pods were recovered after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Each pod contained representative mission equipment to study the effects of temperature, shock, and vibration of the cargo environments during launch and reentry. #Readiness

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

AFRL conducted a test of preliminary Rocket Cargo capabilities via @SpaceX Bandwagon-5 on a Falcon 9 launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station @SLDelta45. This test involved a SpaceX Starfall capsule loaded with #AFRL agile cargo pods for point-to-point delivery missions.

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

Watch the entire series: https://t.co/kSuVz8H17s

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

“There would be no CCA without the Air Force Research Laboratory,” Brig. Gen. Timothy Helfrich at the Ohio Defense and Aerospace forum in Dayton, Ohio.

Learn more about AFRL’s role in #CCA development via our Discovery to Delivery video series: https://t.co/5Vbv1ueCOR #AFRL

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

@SpaceX @SLDelta45 A UNI-PAC Ill life raft was also fit tested for the Starfall capsule & can be flown in future tests. #AFResearchlab is continuing to assess #RocketCargo capabilities for quickly transporting critical DoW materials to locations across the globe. Learn more: https://t.co/1B0fOdc2bF

[Air Force Research Lab - AFRL @AFResearchLab]

AFRL conducted a test of preliminary Rocket Cargo capabilities via @SpaceX Bandwagon-5 on a Falcon 9 launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station @SLDelta45. This test involved a SpaceX Starfall capsule loaded with #AFRL agile cargo pods for point-to-point delivery missions.

[U.S. Air Force @usairforce]

B-52 student pilots are mastering aerial refueling in virtual reality before their first live flight—cutting training sorties & saving critical flight hours.

See how we use advanced tech to prepare our heavy bombers for the fight: https://t.co/d5ZY39jOyH