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ABOUT Air Force Weapons Laboratory
- Origins and Establishment: The Air Force Weapons Laboratory (AFWL) was established in 1963 at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, to advance research and development in nuclear weapons effects, directed energy, and advanced weaponry.
- Key Role in Nuclear Testing: AFWL played a crucial role in studying the effects of nuclear detonations on military hardware, facilities, and communication systems, ensuring the survivability of U.S. assets during the Cold War.
- High-Energy Lasers: The laboratory was a pioneer in the research and development of high-energy laser systems, which laid the groundwork for modern directed-energy weapons.
- Simulating Nuclear Environments: AFWL built and operated sophisticated facilities capable of simulating nuclear explosions, such as the Trestle facility, which used massive wooden structures to test electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects on aircraft.
- Project Popeye: AFWL contributed to weather modification research, including experiments like Project Popeye, which attempted to control weather for military advantage during the Vietnam War.
- Anti-Satellite Weapons: The laboratory was involved in the early development and testing of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon concepts, anticipating future space warfare scenarios.
- Collaboration with NASA: AFWL worked with NASA on astronaut safety, testing the effects of radiation and explosions on spacecraft components during the Space Race.
- Testing Hardened Bunkers: The lab conducted research on the survivability of underground bunkers, influencing the design of command centers and missile silos to withstand nuclear attacks.
- Directed Energy Milestones: In the 1970s and 1980s, AFWL’s directed energy programs developed some of the earliest prototypes of laser and particle beam weapons for missile defense.
- Evolution and Legacy: In 1990, the AFWL was merged into the Phillips Laboratory, which later became part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), continuing its legacy in advanced weapons research.