Josh Yokum Named VULNVIEW/CAT Model Manager
Last February, Mr. Josh Yokum of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC’s) Vulnerability Analysis Branch (EZFV) was named the new Model Manager for the VulnView/Combat Assessment Tool (CAT). In this role, Mr. Yokum will manage the tool’s development by tracking feature development and reporting, prioritizing work of model developers, communicating with users to determine and address requirements, and helping the userbase troubleshoot problems as needed. In addition, he will serve as liaison to the Joint Combat Assessment Team (JCAT), curating a suite of EZFV-provided tools and instructing new JCAT personnel in the tool’s use to support the JCAT mission.
Mr. Yokum has worked at AFLCMC since 2019, where he also currently supports the Air Force’s Acquisition program office in meeting its Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) requirements, particularly with regard to M&S. These responsibilities include performing analyses, managing and tracking contractor work, communicating with the Office of Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) in the program office’s stead, and participating in the LFT&E working group.
Mr. Yokum holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and is currently working on a master’s in system engineering from the University of Dayton.
Congratulations, Josh!
AFIT Establishes Hypersonics Research Center
In May, the Air Force Institute of Technology’s (AFIT’s) Graduate School of Engineering and Management celebrated the establishment of its new Applied Research Center for Hypersonics (ARCH) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. The purpose of the center, which is one of eight multidisciplinary research centers within the graduate school, is to provide cutting-edge solutions to defense-related challenges regarding hypersonic technologies. ARCH will partner with the DoD Joint Hypersonics Transition Office to conduct applied research, workforce development, and education, with the following four main goals:
- Deliver interdisciplinary defense-focused solutions
- Provide subject-matter expertise to ensure Warfighter readiness
- Integrate and connect organizations to foster understanding and collaboration within the hypersonic domain
- Produce and empower customers through its initiatives.
For more information about ARCH, click here.
AFRL Opens Digital Manufacturing Technologies Lab
In July, the Manufacturing, Industrial Technologies and Energy Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL’s) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate officially opened its new Collaborative Automation for Manufacturing Systems (CAMS) Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. To mark the opening of the facility, Astro, a Boston Dynamics robot dog, was given the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
The new CAMS lab will be used for the research and development efforts of AFRL’s Digital Manufacturing Research Team (DMRT) as it supports the digital transformation goals specified in the Air Force Material Command’s 2023 Strategic Plan. In opening the lab, AFRL leaders noted the importance not only of developing advanced technologies for the Warfighter but also of ensuring those technologies get “out the door” so they’re available whenever and wherever needed. Accordingly, the lab promises to advance the Air Force’s capabilities to execute point-of-need and forward-deployed manufacturing and support rapid refitting and agile combat system development.
To do this, the state-of-the-art facility invests in and uses cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence, and extended/augmented reality hardware and technologies to provide unprecedented capabilities to operators in the field, on the manufacturing lines, and in the air repair depots. For example, for the task of riveting a panel onto (or back onto) a plane, lab leaders envision the eventual outfitting of operators with augmented reality headsets that can automatically project all of the rivet points needed.
The fully digitized CAMS lab also features a motion capture system similar to those used in the video gaming and movie industries. This system allows a digital twin of the lab can be created to support virtual experimentation in a cloud environment.
For more information about the new CAM labs and the DMRT, click here.
DSIAC Publishes Attritable UAS SOAR
In September, the Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) published a State-of-the-Art Report (SOAR), titled “Attritable Unmanned Aircraft Systems Conceptualization and Key Players.” The 36-page report—coauthored by Ms. Deanna Milonas and Mrs. Taylor Knight of the SURVICE Engineering Company and Dr. Eric Hundman of BluePath Labs—focuses on several key aspects of fielded, prototyped, and in-development attritable unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), including their defining characteristics, missions, and cost categories, as well as their conceptualization within the Department of Defense (DoD).
The report also discusses key “impact players” and efforts from Government, industry, and academia that are currently involved in notable attritable UAS research and technology development. An extensive list of supporting references is also included.
DSIAC SOARs are ongoing publications intended to provide in-depth analyses of current, leading-edge technologies related to DSIAC’s technical focus areas; to evaluate and synthesize the latest available information; and to provide comprehensive assessments. Topics are chosen via collaboration with defense system community members and the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) to provide value added to Warfighter needs.
For more information about the UAS SOAR or to download a copy, click here.
