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The U.S. Space Force opened a new, state-of-the-art facility, under the command of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which looks like it’s going to become one of the most important centers for space warfighting innovation.
Col. Eric Felt, the director of AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate, hosted the event with AFRL commander, Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle as the presiding officer and keynote speaker.
The SWORD Lab is a 26,000 square foot, $12.8 million state-of-the-art facility, with office and laboratory space that will house the 65 scientists, engineers and support staff of the directorate’s Space Control Branch to better integrate R&D programs focused on improving space warfighting capabilities.
“One of the reasons we stood up the U.S. Space Force was to ensure our nation has the capabilities to deter any threats in space,” said Felt. “Our job in the SWORD lab will be to continue to develop resilient and innovative technologies that will protect our nation and allies from threats by our adversaries. Recognizing that space is an emerging domain for warfighting, we want to make sure there is never a war in space.”