Specialized teams focusing on dominating specific combat domains.
Dedicated units to ensure new tech actually makes it into the hands of the warfighter. Breakthroughs in the Works air force research laboratory
While AFRL as we know it today was formed by consolidating four former laboratories, its heritage dates back over a century to 1917. If you’ve ever marveled at a stealth fighter like the or the B-2 Spirit , you’re looking at AFRL’s handiwork. The lab’s fingerprints are on nearly every modern aircraft and weapon system in the U.S. arsenal, including the F-22 Raptor and the C-17 Globemaster . One Lab, Two Services If you’ve ever marveled at a stealth fighter
Beyond the Horizon: How the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is Engineering the Future One Lab, Two Services Beyond the Horizon: How
In the world of defense, the fastest way to lose a fight is to stop innovating. Since its official launch in 1997, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has served as the ultimate "think tank" for the Department of the Air Force, ensuring that American Airmen and Guardians stay ahead of every curve. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio—the very birthplace of aviation—AFRL manages a massive and a workforce of over 12,500 personnel dedicated to one mission: unleashing the power of innovative technology. A Legacy of "What's Next?"
In April 2026, AFRL announced its most significant organizational change in decades. To move at the speed of modern threats, the lab has pivoted to a . The new organization features specialized directorates designed to streamline the journey from a "lab bench" idea to a "war-winning" system:
What exactly are they building right now? The projects sound like something out of science fiction: Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL - Facebook