Hansccom AFB, Air Force Research Laboratory

• Origins in World War II: Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) traces its origins back to 1941, when it was established as Bedford Army Air Field, mainly serving as a training ground for fighter pilots during World War II. • Renamed for a War Hero: The base was renamed in 1943 to honor Lieutenant Laurence G. Hanscom, a local reporter and pilot who died in a plane crash in 1941. • Birthplace of the SAGE System: Hanscom AFB was pivotal in the development of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system in the 1950s, which was a revolutionary computer network for air defense during the Cold War. • Home to Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) - Information Directorate: Hanscom hosts a branch of the AFRL, which focuses on cybersecurity, advanced communications, and information technology research. • Leading Command and Control (C2) Innovation: Hanscom AFB has long been the Air Force’s hub for C2 systems, developing technologies that coordinate air, space, and cyberspace operations globally. • Proximity to High-Tech Academia: The base is located near Boston and collaborates with premier universities like MIT and Harvard, driving advanced research in artificial intelligence, radar, and communications. • Advanced Radar Development: Hanscom AFB played a significant role in developing the first airborne early warning radar systems, which are still vital to U.S. defense today. • Joint Civil-Military Use: The base shares runways with Hanscom Field (civilian airport), enabling both military and commercial aviation activities. • Innovative Partnership Programs: Hanscom’s AFRL hosts annual “hackathons” and innovation challenges to crowdsource solutions for national security problems, drawing talent from the private sector and academia. • Key Role in Space and Cyber Operations: The AFRL at Hanscom is instrumental in advancing space situational awareness and cyber defense, supporting both Air Force and Space Force missions.