Air Force Research Laboratory Apr 2026

The bedrock of future science.

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: 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 The bedrock of future science