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October 20, 2026

Cadets Explore Human-Machine Teaming Through Hands-On Research

Cadets interact with Pepper, a humanoid robot, at the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Oct. 14, 2026. Researchers use Pepper to study human-machine teaming and how people interact with autonomous and artificial intelligence-enabled systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are exploring how emerging technologies influence human behavior and decision-making through hands-on research with humanoid robots and robotic dogs. The research gives cadets opportunities to apply academic knowledge to practical challenges and examine...

Continue Reading Cadets Explore Human-Machine Teaming Through Hands-On Research

Cadets interact with Pepper, a humanoid robot, at the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Oct. 14, 2026. Researchers use Pepper to study human-machine teaming and how people interact with autonomous and artificial intelligence-enabled systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
October 8, 2026

Space Education prepares cadets for future missions

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets work on FalconSAT 11 during a capstone class at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 23, 2026. Space-related capstone projects give cadets opportunities to apply classroom learning through hands-on technical work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By SSgt Brandon Schneider U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Space education at the U.S. Air Force Academy extends beyond cadets preparing to become Guardians. Cadets encounter the space domain through academics, research, extracurricular opportunities and military training that prepare them for service in the Air Force and Space Force. Space...

Continue Reading Space Education prepares cadets for future missions

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets work on FalconSAT 11 during a capstone class at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 23, 2026. Space-related capstone projects give cadets opportunities to apply classroom learning through hands-on technical work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
October 6, 2026

Arctic security research takes cadets beyond the classroom

Cadet 1st Class Katherine Longuil, left, and Cadet 1st Class Gavin Dustin, right, walk beneath a B-52 Stratofortress at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 16, 2026. As part of their Homeland Defense Institute experience, the cadets explored strategic bombing and its role in the broader history of homeland defense. By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - U.S. Air Force Academy cadets explored Arctic security through the Homeland Defense Institute (HDI), researching Russian and Chinese activity in the region and engaging with military organizations, researchers and regional stakeholders across Alaska. The...

Continue Reading Arctic security research takes cadets beyond the classroom

Cadet 1st Class Katherine Longuil, left, and Cadet 1st Class Gavin Dustin, right, walk beneath a B-52 Stratofortress at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 16, 2026. As part of their Homeland Defense Institute experience, the cadets explored strategic bombing and its role in the broader history of homeland defense.
August 14, 2026

Cadet Summer Research Program 2026 prepares cadets for future missions

Cadet 1st Class Garrett Clark operates an F-35 simulator during his Cadet Summer Research Program 2026 experience at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to contributing to the ePilot research project, Clark gained exposure to aerospace engineering and aircraft design through hands-on experiences with industry professionals. (Photo courtesy of Garrett Clark) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - During summer 2026, 287 USAFA cadets participated in Cadet Summer Research Program (CSRP), conducting research through more than 100 partnerships with military, government and industry organizations. Cadets worked on projects spanning the...

Continue Reading Cadet Summer Research Program 2026 prepares cadets for future missions

Cadet 2nd Class Garrett Clark operates an F-35 simulator during his Cadet Summer Research Program 2026 experience at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to contributing to the ePilot research project, Clark gained exposure to aerospace engineering and aircraft design through hands-on experiences with industry professionals. (Photo courtesy of Garrett Clark)
May 4, 2026

Academy Research Showcase highlights innovation

Attendees sit and observe presentations during the Academy Research Showcase at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 28, 2026. The event brought together military, industry and academic partners to engage with cadet research and explore solutions to real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By SSgt. Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy hosted the first Academy Research Showcase at the Madera Cyber Innovation Center, bringing together military, industry and academic partners to engage with the Academy’s undergraduate research enterprise. Connecting research to real-world missions...

Continue Reading Academy Research Showcase highlights innovation

Attendees sit and observe presentations during the Academy Research Showcase at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 28, 2026. The event brought together military, industry and academic partners to engage with cadet research and explore solutions to real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
July 30, 2025

CSRP 2025: taking research beyond the classroom

Cadet 2nd Class Michael Fays poses for a picture with fellow Cadet Summer Research Program participants at NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany, June 12, 2025. As part of the Cadet Summer Research Program, Fays completed both the NATO Instructor Course and the NATO Strategic Operations Planning Course. (Courtesy photo provided by Michael Fays) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - More than 300 cadets participated in the Cadet Summer Research Program (CSRP), taking their research beyond the classroom and into real-world application. The Academy maintains more than 260 national and international...

Continue Reading CSRP 2025: taking research beyond the classroom

Cadet 2nd Class Michael Fays poses for a picture with fellow Cadet Summer Research Program participants at NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany.
April 7, 2025

Arctic research examines impact on operational readiness

Cadets 2nd Class Anna Bardorf, Emma Bingen and Jordan Martinez stand with Cadets 1st Class Billie Botes, Colby Deleeuw and Kelsey Monaghan-Bergson on the Turnagain Arm Scenic Boardwalk at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Anchorage, Nov. 28, 2024. The U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership’s Yukon Field School trip taught the cadets to identify potential challenges for future warrior leaders assigned to the region. (Courtesy photo provided by Capt. Samantha Van Cleave) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As global interest in the Arctic escalates, the...

Continue Reading Arctic research examines impact on operational readiness

Cadets 2nd Class Anna Bardorf, Emma Bingen and Jordan Martinez stand with Cadets 1st Class Billie Botes, Colby Deleeuw and Kelsey Monaghan-Bergson on the Turnagain Arm Scenic Boardwalk at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Anchorage.
February 10, 2025

Laser and optics: cadets solve problems to advance research

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets 3rd Class Delaney Finley, left, and Annabelle Towles adjust a vacuum system that produces and traps a beam of silicon atoms in the U.S. Air Force Academy Laser and Optics Research Center, Jan. 22, 2025. The cadets’ project uses specific laser frequencies to cool and trap silicon atoms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are at the forefront of innovation as they solve real-world problems at the Laser and Optics Research Center. If successful,...

Continue Reading Laser and optics: cadets solve problems to advance research

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets 3rd Class Delaney Finley, left, and Annabelle Towles adjust a vacuum system that produces and traps a beam of silicon atoms
January 28, 2025

Cadets aim to make explosive ordnance operations safer

a Cadet 1st Class Simon Gott, left, and Cadet 1st Class Gunnar Gott discuss their electronic wire stabilization and cutting tool project in the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jan. 16, 2025. The brothers have applied for a provisional patent and hope their project is added to a list of 60 Academy patents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A cadet brother team developed an electronic wire stabilization and cutting tool that could revolutionize explosive ordnance operations. Military members...

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November 19, 2024

Meteorology cadet research: sea ice forecasting

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Beatrice Shea compares machine-learning models in her sea ice forecasting research in the Meteorology Laboratory Nov. 12, 2024. Shea and Meteorology faculty developed a machine-learning model that could aid in accurate ice forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadet 2nd Class Beatrice Shea’s fascination with the Arctic began long before she arrived at the U.S. Air Force Academy in the fall of 2022. Once Shea started her Meteorology core courses, she seized the opportunity to transform...

Continue Reading Meteorology cadet research: sea ice forecasting

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Beatrice Shea compares machine-learning models in her sea ice forecasting research in the Meteorology Laboratory.
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