Air 
Force Research Lab officials earlier this month cut the ribbon on the new state-of-the-art Advanced Power and Thermal Research Lab on the grounds of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. APTRL is a 53,000-square-foot, three-story building that will be devoted to power and thermal research to support the Air Force’s growing demands for increased aircraft power and efficiency, according to an AFRL release. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Dec. 7, Wright-Patt spokesman Bill Hancock confirmed to the Daily Report on Dec. 17. “With the establishment of the Advanced Power and Thermal Research Lab, we hope to forge a new direction for aircraft technologies,” said Doug Bowers, AFRL’s aerospace systems director. APTRL was born from the complete refurbishment of the 1934-vintage Static Test Laboratory that formerly hosted structural and mechanical testing, but had gone largely unused for many years, according to the release. “It’s very rewarding to see an historic building come back to life in the way this one has,” said Bowers. (Wright-Patterson report by Holly Jordan)
Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs from Anduril and General Atomics passed their critical design reviews early in November, clearing the way for detailed production efforts to get underway, the Air Force said. How future versions will be upgraded is still under discussion.