Mission
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) only organization wholly dedicated to leading the discovery, development and delivery of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces.
History
The history of AFRL dates back to 1918 and was officially established in 1997 to consolidate the four former Air Force laboratories and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The laboratory and its predecessors have overseen more than a century of critical research efforts for the Department of War (DoW) and DAF. With technology breakthroughs found in all of today's modern aircraft and weapons systems, AFRL has contributed to significant advancements in modern communications, electronics, manufacturing, medical research and products.
Personnel and Resources
AFRL employs approximately 11,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and manages an $8 billion portfolio of investments. The lab supports external customers and partners with industry while investing in basic research, applied research and advanced technology development. As an integrated lab, AFRL seamlessly supports the science and technology needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force.
AFRL Primary Locations
Edwards AFB, California
Eglin AFB, Florida
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
Rome, New York
Arlington, Virginia
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Organization
Headquarters AFRL
The AFRL headquarters is based at Wright-Patterson AFB and consists of AFRL’s front office group, three staff offices and 13 functional directorates.
Foundational Technologies Directorate
The Foundational Technologies Directorate champions basic research and pervasive scientific advancement. By holistically looking at the scientific knowledge and breakthroughs that underpin AFRL’s developments, the lab is better poised to develop new and effective materials, processes and manufacturing technologies. As a part of the Foundational Technologies Directorate, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) discovers, shapes, champions and transitions high-risk basic research to profoundly impact the future Air and Space Force.
Air Warfare Directorate
The Air Warfare Directorate combines aerospace systems and munitions expertise to develop advanced air combat technologies that ensure advantage in the battlespace.
Space Warfare Directorate
The Space Warfare Directorate leverages multidisciplinary expertise to pave the way for development of future satellite systems, rocket propulsion and space domain awareness capabilities.
Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate
The Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate develops adaptive and resilient information dominance for warfighters with combined expertise in sensors, directed energy and C4I.
Technology Transition Office
Serving as AFRL's primary "system integrator," the Technology Transition Office accelerates the delivery of technology systems by directly connecting the laboratory, mission partners, and industry to the acquisition community. AFWERX and SpaceWERX, the Department of the Air Force's innovation hubs, are key components of the Technology Transition Office.
711th Human Performance Wing
The 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW) consolidates research, education and consultation under a single organization comprising the Human Effectiveness Directorate and the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM).