Air Force Research Laboratory Now

Dedicated units to ensure new tech actually makes it into the hands of the warfighter. Breakthroughs in the Works

Beyond the Horizon: How the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is Engineering the Future air force research laboratory

A major shift in recent years is AFRL's role as the "One Lab" supporting two distinct services: the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force . This collaboration ensures that technological breakthroughs in the air are seamlessly adapted for the high-stakes environment of orbital space. 2026 and Beyond: The Strategic Redesign Dedicated units to ensure new tech actually makes

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 Space Force