Base begins closure of EOD range

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- A crane removes a tank from the explosive ordnance disposal range at Kirtland Air Force Base. (Courtesy photo)

AFRL technology developed MAFFS 40 years ago

Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. A MAFFs-equiped C-130 aircraft dispenses flame retardant. MAFFS were developed by the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, now the Air Force Research Laboratory, at Kirtland AFB in 197. MAFFS recently staged at Kirtland AFB to help with local wildfires. (courtesy photo)

High-Altitude baloon program

Members of the High-Altitude Balloon Program prepare a helium balloon and its payload for launch.

Small diameter bombs

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matt Aggers, left, and Staff Sgt. Randy Broome conduct a final check of the stowed twin wings on four ground-training GBU-39 small diameter bombs after being loaded on an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath, England. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center evaluated the SDB weapon system that is intended to provide the United States Air Force with a tactical standoff air-to-surface strike capability for both current and future fighter and bomber aircraft. Both Airmen are aircraft weapons specialists from the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (DOD photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung, U.S. Air Force)

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.

Jamin Greenbaum, The University of Texas at Austin's Nanosatellite-3 FASTRAC program manager (middle), and Eric Rogstad, The University of Texas at Austin's Nanosatellite-4 project manager (right), assisted by a Jackson and Tull engineer, prepare one of the FASTRAC halves for structural testing at AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate here. (Air Force photo)

Mirror system

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — A dual-mirror system, called the Aerospace Relay Mirror System, suspended from a crane at 100 feet above the ground, is being tested here. The system is a prototype designed to extend the range of high-energy lasers by receiving and redirecting laser energy. Developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate, an operational version might be suspended from a high-altitude airship at an altitude of 70,000 feet, where atmospheric turbulence, or jitter, is less of a problem for beam quality. (Air Force photo)