AFRL Global presence Study

The Air Force Research Laboratory AFRL mission is to lead the discovery, development and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. To accomplish this mission, AFRL needs access to the best national and international research and development R and D and technical talent. The AFRL international portfolio and methods of engagement give good leverage of international R and D and talent, but there is concern that these approaches alone may be insufficient to access the growing fraction of research conducted overseas. In response, AFRL chartered this study to explore options that extend beyond the current AFRL overseas offices that scout and fund R and D, to establishing a strong physical presence within overseas laboratories. Based on the information obtained in this study, four major recommendation were made They are 1 Do not build or lease physical overseas laboratory facilities 2 Expand, simplify and fully utilize approaches to embed AFRL technical staff in overseas laboratories 3 Conduct international, collaborative, residential R and D challenges and 4 Do not pursue methods to influence international S and T funding.