The Aeronautics Research Center (ARC) is the research arm of the Department of Aeronautics (DFAN).  DFAN provides an ABET accredited program for cadets working towards a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering.  An important element in the DFAN program is our cadet-centered research program.  The overall mission of the United States Air Force Academy is to develop and inspire air and space leaders with vision for tomorrow.  The Aeronautical Research Center complements this mission by providing "real world" research opportunities for cadets which directly support our educational objectives while making direct contributions to Air Force, NASA and Department of Defense Programs.

Cadets are provided opportunities to work on actual research projects that support current U.S. aerospace research objectives while under the close supervision of senior faculty members.

The ARC is located in the Aeronautics Laboratory, a 5,100 square meter building, which houses world-class experimental and computational facilities.  

The staff includes twenty researchers and seven technicians.  

The USAF Office of Scientific Research is a major contributor in terms of both funding and  technical direction.  The ARC also receives funding from other AFRL directorates, NASA, and the U.S. Army.