Air Force Research Laboratory

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the main scientific research and development centre for the Department of the Air Force in the United States. It leads the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for air, space and cyberspace forces.

AFRL does its work through several mission organisations. These include the 711th Human Performance Wing and directorates for foundational technologies, air warfare, information and spectrum warfare, and space warfare. A Technology Transition Office helps move new technology into use.

Other groups sit alongside them. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research funds basic research and recently marked 75 years. AFWERX and SPACEWERX, the Autonomy Capability Team, a digital capabilities group and an energy office also form part of the wider laboratory. AFRL runs small business programs, including SBIR and STTR, and a technology transfer office. It also keeps a research library and a research security group.

Aircraft and autonomy work is a large part of the news. AFRL and Air Combat Command's Experimental Operations Unit flew the XQ-67A Autonomous Collaborative Platform over the Nevada Test and Training Range. The laboratory also supports the X-62, described as America's first AI X-Plane. A first X-62 research symposium at the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base drew more than 80 people from industry, academia and the joint force.

Space and weapons research appear too. AFRL tested Rocket Cargo point-to-point delivery on a commercial rideshare launch with a SpaceX reentry capsule. It showed a modular multimode propulsion system for sustained space manoeuvre. It also checked that a family of cruise missiles meets the Air Force's Weapon Open Systems Architecture standard.

AFRL also honours its own people. In 2026 it recognised 20 scientists and engineers as AFRL Fellows and early career award winners at a ceremony in Dayton, Ohio. The lab offers careers, technology listings, news, photos and video. It describes its goal as to win the future.

Services

• Air, space and cyberspace research
• Autonomy research
• Space technology
• Human performance research
• Basic research funding
• Technology transition
• Technology transfer
• Small business programs (SBIR/STTR)
• Energy research
• Research library