Air Force Academy (USAFA)

Agency/Department

FLC Region

Security Lab

No

Address

HQ USAFA/DFER
2354 Fairchild Drive
USAF Academy, CO 80840-6200
United States
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Laboratory Representative

Lab Profile

Description

The Air Force Academy was established in 1954. The first class of 306 men was sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, in the summer of 1955, and graduated in 1959. The current authorized number of cadets is 4,000, supported by more than 530 faculty in Basic Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Humanities. About half of the faculty have earned Ph.D. degrees. The Academy has provided the Air Force with a corps of officers dedicated to upholding the high standards of the United States: Integrity always, service before self, and excellence in all we do. These Air Force Core values were written by the Air Force Academy, which has provided a proving ground for these officers and a source for the dedicated staff members who have come to the academy to educate and train these future leaders. Throughout its history, one theme has been constant and persistent: a commitment to excellence. With that theme, the Air Force Academy looks forward to the future.

Mission

The Academy's research mission is to plan and execute research programs in Air Force-relevant technology. This includes basic and applied research in aeronautics, biomimetic sensors, nanosatellites, rocket propulsion and space physics, lasers and optics, hydrogen fuel cells and ionic liquids, aging aircraft structures and materials, modeling and simulation, human effectiveness, molecular biology, unmanned aerial vehicles, information technology applications, and robotics. The laboratory carries out a number of programs sponsored by other agencies (e.g., Air Force Office of Scientific Research, DoD High-Performance Computing Modernization Office, etc.) and provides technology-literate officers to the Air Force Research Laboratory, product divisions, and other AF agencies.

Facilities:

  • Institute for Information Technology Applications
  • Institute for National Security Studies
  • Wind tunnels and jet engine test facilities
  • Lasers & optics laboratory
  • Supercomputing facilities
  • Computer-controlled fatigue testing and structural instrumentation laboratory
  • Electron microscopy, chemistry and metallurgy laboratory
  • Machining, sheet metal, woodworking and welding shops

Technology Disciplines

Technologies
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2
Fast Rope Insertion System
Patent Abstract

A fast rope insertion system that integrates with a COTS Auto Belay to provide a controlled descent, braking ability, and significant reduction of injuries upon descent and landing.

The Fast Rope Insertion System’s push-lock attachment allows operators to easily attach the system to a helicopter or other support structure. The pulley-brake allows users to slow or stop descent, and requires only one hand to operate, whereas current fast rope insertion systems require operators to hold on with both hands (and the resulting friction requires special gloves and often burns operators’ hands). Finally, the quick release mechanism attaches users to the system to keep them from tipping and to allow them to quickly disconnect with a single motion once they are on the ground. The system integrates with the TRUBLUE Auto Belay system, a current COTS product that uses Eddy Currant technology to provide a constant rate of descent and automatic reset upon disconnection, thereby eliminating the majority of operator injuries caused by harsh landings.

Details
Patent Number
US 10, 207, 130 B2
Inventors

Cory Cooper, Darren Tidwell, Garrett Fritzsche, Christopher Yooshin Jan, Brock Flieger, Allan Vaillencourt, Jr., Miranda Leigh Bray, Shane Riley, Nathanael Szuch, Philip Strunk

Patent Issue Date
Feb 19, 2019
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UAV Recovery Method
Patent Abstract

A method for autonomously recovering a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) on a ship or moving vehicle.

The patented process begins after the RPA uses GPS or some other method to fly within 300 feet of the ship or vehicle that launched the craft. A distinctive net or tarp, attached to the ship, serves as the RPA recovery target. The RPA’s camera sends live video feed to a control station, where the operator can select the target from the video feed. Using ground-based computer navigation, the RPA homes in on the recovery net until the RPA is successfully recovered.

Unique characteristics:

  • Autonomous computer-based navigation to reduce the margin of error
  • User call-back function that is highly user-friendly for untrained operators
  • Robust image filtering that allows for changes in lighting
Details
Patent Number
US 9,911,059 B1
Inventors

Michael Anderson, Charles Wilson, Michael Hyde

Patent Issue Date
Mar 06, 2018
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