AFRL to highlight war-winning tech at Air, Space and Cyber Conference

Next week AFRL heads to the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 16-18, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland.

During the conference AFRL will showcase six examples of integrated capabilities as part of its 2024 “Engine to Accelerate” exhibit booths 503 and 1834 in the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center's Prince George Exhibit Hall.

“Science and technology run deep in the Department of the Air Force’s history and are vital to our future,” said Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei, AFRL commander. “The lab is focused on high-impact, multi-domain S&T solutions that move the needle right now while laying the groundwork for the Air and Space Force to win the future fight.”

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Department of the Air Force and powered by AFRL, will also display a “Spark Street” exhibit in the conference center’s Maryland Exhibit Hall, which will showcase Airman and Guardian innovations from Spark Cells around the world.

Below, we highlight capabilities that will be featured at the conference. Scroll to the end to explore recent job postings and learn how you can join the AFRL team.

To learn more about the 2024 Air, Space & Cyber Conference > (click here)

Missile Utility Transformation via Articulated Nose Technology (MUTANT)

MUTANT is an articulation control actuation system (ACAS) technology that increases missile effectiveness at longer range against moving targets through active, rapid, and smooth pivoting of the missile forebody.

MUTUANT enables the warfighter to destroy air targets at scale, with higher confidence and fewer weapons.

Based on clear and significant military utility and sufficient technology readiness, MUTANT seeks to transition through industry and change AFRL’s technology push to a pull from Air Force acquisition offices and combatant commands.?

Navigation Technology Satellite – 3 (NTS-3)

NTS-3 is an experimental platform designed to demonstrate technologies to increase resiliency, robustness and re-programmability of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) functionality in space.?

AFRL is accelerating innovation by transforming the satellite navigation architecture to be reprogrammable both on-orbit and in the field, which enables new capabilities to support the warfighter faster through software updates rather than recapitalization.?

NTS-3 will mature technologies like the advanced timekeeping system that can detect and mitigate atomic clock faults without direct operator intervention.

NTS-3's software-defined receiver, known as Global Navigation Satellite System Test Architecture (GNSSTA), can receive and process new navigation signals that improve performance for U.S. forces in the presence of GPS interference or spoofing.???

GRASSHOPPER

GRASSHOPPER is a cost-efficient, air-dropped, autonomously navigated glider that delivers material to operators on the ground.

The program leverages low-cost manufacturing techniques to keep production costs at ~$40k per vehicle to provide an asymmetric capability for cargo delivery.

The Grasshopper team is accelerating the capability timeline by establishing a close interaction between AFRL and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) users that facilitates immediate customer feedback and rapid flight testing.

Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS)

LCAAPS leverages best practices of consumer industries to rapidly develop and build autonomous collaborative platforms (ACP) in large numbers.?

The goal is to achieve affordable mass by streamlining the design and development process. XQ-67A proves the feasibility of this approach and demonstrates how wholly new acquisition processes can deliver capability to the warfighter more quickly and efficiently.??

Gallium Nitride Device (GaN)

GaN is a semiconductor technology that marks a pivotal advancement in radio frequency sensing, enhancing radar, electronic warfare and communications capability ubiquitously across Department of Defense platforms.

AFRL developed GaN materials and device technology internally and leveraged national programs to build a robust and needed domestic supply chain.

AFRL now continues to co-develop GaN technology with industry, accelerating delivery of next generation sensing systems for the warfighter.??

AEROMORPH

AEROMORPH is an AFRL University Center of Excellence (UCoE) that performs fundamental multidisciplinary research to endow future supersonic and hypersonic weapons with game-changing performance through active morphing without significant size, weight, or power penalties.

The unique approach is to embed a self-contained sense-assess-response morphing process into the material and structure.

With AFRL’s strategic foresight, the AEROMORPH UCoE lays the foundation for transition of active morphing in high-speed systems as an integrated capability to AFRL, becoming the basis for future AFRL programs that enable the warfighter to outpace our adversaries through superior weapons performance and Air Superiority.? ??

We're hiring! This October 8-9th join us at a career fair in Dayton, Ohio. Potential jobs include computer scientist, contracting specialist, data analyst, financial management specialist, physicists, engineer (aerospace/aeronautical, electrical, electronics, mechanical, computer, general), and business professional.

Submit your resume to be considered for a prescheduled interview. We will also accept resume submissions and walk-ins at the event.

Highlighted below are five in-demand jobs — click on a position to learn more and apply.

• Patent Attorney | Rome, NY
• Hypersonic Test Vehicle Assembly Engineer | Albuquerque, NM
• En Route Care Section Chief | Dayton, OH
• Agile Space Operations Software DevSecOps | Colorado Springs, CO
• Strategic Initiatives Program Manager | Valparaiso, FL

Visit afresearchlab.com/careers to see career and internship opportunities around the world.

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