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Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)

US

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the primary research and development center for the Department of the Air Force, playing a key role in developing warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace. As an integrated lab, AFRL supports both the Air Force and the Space Force, providing solutions ranging from satellites and rocket fuel to advanced materials and manufacturing processes. AFRL partners with organizations like NASA, other government agencies, academia, and industry to conduct research, develop technologies, and test new concepts for space-based capabilities, including space weather observation and data transport. Key areas of focus include space vehicles, rocket propulsion, directed energy, and advanced materials for aerospace systems.

gov defense
United States
www.afrl.af.mil/
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

Pacific Defense signed a $9,400,000 Phase II contract with the Space Control Technology Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory to complete development of a low-size, weight, and power sensor built on MOSA principles for cislunar space situational awareness.

RelationshipsFinancialPlanCapabilityValue 5.0Dec 7, 2023Pacific Defense Wins $9.4M AFRL Phase II Contract for Cislunar Space Sensor Development

Lockheed Martin was awarded $33,700,000 from the Air Force Research Laboratory for the Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-Orbit Nuclear (JETSON) High Power program to mature high-power nuclear electric power and propulsion technologies and spacecraft design.

RelationshipsFinancialCapabilityPlanValue 5.0Nov 16, 2023Lockheed Martin jets into nuclear electrical spacecraft power

X-37B Mission 6 deployed FalconSat-8, a small satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

RelationshipsValue 4.0Nov 9, 2023Department of Air Force Set to Launch Seventh X-37B Mission on SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX partnered to streamline the SBIR and STTR process by accelerating proposal-to-award timelines, expanding the pool of potential applicants to small businesses, and implementing process improvements to reduce bureaucratic overhead.

RelationshipsPlanGrowthValue 4.0Nov 2, 2023Rogue Selected by AFWERX to Develop In-Space Inspection Technology for its Orbital Robots

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX partnered to streamline the SBIR and STTR processes by accelerating proposal-to-award timelines, expanding the pool of potential small business applicants, and reducing bureaucratic overhead through process improvements.

RelationshipsPlanGrowthValue 4.0Oct 31, 2023Rogue Space Systems secures AFWERX Direct-to-Phase II Contract

The AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate’s mission includes developing space component technology and transitioning those technologies to provide space-based capabilities to the nation.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Oct 31, 20231st international CRADA between AFRL + Indian startups ignites strategic collaboration

The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX have partnered to streamline the SBIR and STTR process by accelerating proposal-to-award timelines, expanding the pool of potential applicants, eliminating bureaucratic overhead, and implementing process improvements in contract execution.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Oct 30, 2023Scientific Systems awarded SpaceWERX Orbital Prime contract

On 2023-10-26, the Air Force Research Laboratory established new Cooperative Research and Development Agreements between the U.S. Space Force and two Indian startups.

RelationshipsGeneralValue 4.0Oct 26, 2023AFRL, Space Force to collaborate with Indian startups on space technologies

The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX partnered to streamline the SBIR and STTR processes by accelerating proposal-to-award timelines, expanding opportunities for small businesses, and continually implementing process improvements in contract execution.

RelationshipsPlanGrowthGeneralValue 3.5Oct 18, 2023Scientific Systems Awarded $1.5 Million SpaceWERX Orbital Prime Contract

Machina Labs’ work with the Air Force Research Laboratory focused on developing robotic technology for manufacturing metal tooling for composite structures.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 18, 2023Machina Labs expands focus to satellites and reentry vehicles

BlackSky Technology won a competitive U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory AFWERX Direct to Phase 2 contract funded by the Space Development Agency to build an automated target recognition service.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 17, 2023BlackSky Wins AFRL Direct to Phase 2 Contract to Track Vehicles in Real Time from Space

BlackSky Technology Inc. won a competitive U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory AFWERX Direct to Phase 2 contract funded by the Space Development Agency to build an automated target recognition service.

RelationshipsCapabilityFinancialValue 4.0Oct 16, 2023BlackSky Wins Air Force Research Contract to Track Vehicles in Real Time from Space

Intuitive Machines also won a contract with the Air Force Research Lab for designs of nuclear-powered spacecraft.

RelationshipsCapabilityLegalValue 4.0Oct 16, 2023Commercial lunar landers prepare for liftoff

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, Space Systems Command’s Prototyping and Innovation Directorate, and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office are three space organizations in New Mexico with a combined budget of at least $2,000,000,000.

GeneralFinancialValue 2.5Oct 14, 2023Uniting and Igniting the Space Sector: After five years, NewSpace Nexus is hitting its stride

CACI International Inc. has been awarded a five-year contract with a maximum ceiling value of $917,000,000 to provide complete life cycle software and systems engineering for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

RelationshipsFinancialValue 5.0Oct 8, 2023CACI awarded million$$$ AFRL contract to advance C5ISR

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) expanded its relationship with the Air Force Research Laboratory to deploy two barium-based trapped-ion quantum computing systems for quantum networking R&D.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.5Oct 1, 2023IonQ announces million$$ deal with the Air Force Research Lab

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory awarded X-Bow Systems a $17,800,000 contract to demonstrate additive manufacturing technologies.

RelationshipsFinancialValue 5.0Sep 27, 2023X-Bow to demonstrate additive manufacturing of solid rocket motors for U.S. Air Force

The AFRL contract to X-Bow Systems is a three-year contract announced on 2023-09-26.

RelationshipsValue 4.2Sep 27, 2023X-Bow to demonstrate additive manufacturing of solid rocket motors for U.S. Air Force

Xage Security won a 2020 contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to study options for end-to-end data protection across military and civilian assets to support command and control for the U.S. Space Force.

RelationshipsValue 4.5Sep 27, 2023Cybersecurity firm Xage gets $17 million contract to protect Space Force networks

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX partnered to streamline the SBIR and STTR process by accelerating proposal-to-award timelines and expanding opportunities for small businesses.

RelationshipsPlanValue 3.5Sep 27, 2023Rogue Space Systems awarded USSF Phase 2 contracts
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