AFRL - PROPULSION RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

AFRL/RZ Propulsion Directorate

Research Facilities and Programs:

AFRL/RZ Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

AFRL/RZ Edwards Air Force Base, California

Recognized as a national leader in propulsion and power research and development, the Propulsion Directorate combines a talented military-civilian employee workforce with unique capabilities, resources, and facilities to form a world-class research center for national defense.

Our Directorate headquarters and the airbreathing propulsion and power technology activities are located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The rocket technology activities are located at Edwards Air Force Base, California. We are charged with developing propulsion technologies for air and space vehicles, including gas turbine and rocket engines; advanced propulsion concepts; and the fuels, propellants, power, and support systems they need to operate.

The scientists and engineers of the Directorate conduct a wide variety of research activities supporting the above technologies. These include aerodynamic and aeromechanical investigations of gas turbine engines; supersonic combustion experiments; scramjet and hypersonic propulsion concepts; solid and liquid rocket propulsion development; laser and arcjet propulsion concepts; electric propulsion; clean propellants; high-energy density materials; thermal management of aerospace vehicle power systems; capacitive, inductive, and plasma energy storage/switching networks; plasma processing of thin films; fuels research; lubrication system research; energy conversion devices; superconductivity research; and high-power electrostatic discharge investigations.

The aggressive research in all aspects of propulsion and power technology of the Propulsion Directorate is supported by a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art experimental facilities and equipment. Laser aided diagnostics and spectroscopy, nonintrusive instrumentation, and the latest computers and software support our research. Some of the experimental facilities are bench type experiments of moderate size while others require a separate building or structure to house them. The Directorate has approximately 125 buildings on 100 acres devoted to in-house research at the combined California and Ohio sites. Each year, new equipment and capabilities are added to enhance and support the world-class research.

Our profession staff is encouraged to interact with universities, industry, and other government agencies on a regular basis. Many hold responsible positions and offices in professional societies such as members of standing committees, journal article referees, or editors. Numerous research results are published annually in scientific journals and presented as papers at national and international meetings. Many of our researchers hold patents and are adjunct faculty at local universities. This exposure to leading scientists in universities and industry is an important aspect of the professional enrichment of our staff and helps us attract new young scientists and researchers. Many new, exciting and challenging research opportunities requiring innovative and creative solutions exist within the Propulsion Directorate.

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