AFRL scientist Daniel B. Miracle has received the Air Force Basic Research Award for outstanding scientific achievement for his work in the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. His work led to the discovery of the atomic structure of metallic glasses. According to an AFRL spokesman, Miracle’s work provides basic knowledge needed to design and develop new metallic glass alloys that can be used to lessen structural mass in aircraft and high mach air vehicles, leading to more affordable access to space.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
