air force research Laboratory (AFRL) direcorate information
Organizational Structure & Redesign Updates
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) announced a major redesign of its organizational structure to integrate and align research and development around key mission areas to speed the delivery of war-winning systems.
This transformation marks the most significant organizational change for AFRL in nearly 30 years. The redesign strengthens collaboration across the lab to accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of high-impact technologies.
Source: Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs. (2026, April 24). AFRL redesigns for strategic advantage, positions research enterprise to accelerate delive. WIN THE FUTURE. https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4467944/afrl-redesigns-for-strategic-advantage-positions-research-enterprise-to-acceler/
The Foundational Technology Directorate champions basic research and pervasive scientific advancement. By holistically looking at the scientific knowledge and breakthroughs that underpin AFRL’s technologies, the lab is better poised to develop new, effective technologies faster. This new directorate aligns the Human Effectiveness projects under the 711th Human Performance Wing with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the former Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.
The Air Warfare Directorate unifies expertise from AFRL’s former Munitions Directorate and Aerospace Systems Directorate to develop advanced air combat technologies to ensure advantage in the battlespace.
The Space Warfare Directorate leverages expertise from AFRL’s former Space Vehicles Directorate and the Aerospace Systems Rocket Propulsion Division to pave the way for future satellite systems, rocket propulsion and space domain awareness capabilities.
The Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate combines expertise from AFRL’s former Sensors Directorate, Directed Energy Directorate and Information Directorate to enable adaptive and resilient information dominance for warfighters.
The Technology Transition Office serves as AFRL's "system integrator." This directorate connects the lab, mission partners and industry directly to the acquisition community to accelerate technology system delivery. It integrates AFWERX, SpaceWERX and components of AFRL’s former Integrated Capabilities Directorate, Strategic Partnering Directorate and Enterprise Customer Engagement Directorate. The work accomplished by the Technology Transition Office will be leveraged by AFMC’s Integrated Development Office to ensure continuous pipelines of competitive technology development.
The Systems Technology Office and the 711th Human Performance Wing are both continuing their existing missions within their current structures, advancing technology delivery and human performance solutions to strengthen warfighter readiness for the Department of the Air Force.