Sandia Labs develops quantum compass for the military

Sandia National Laboratories has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in navigation technology with the development of a quantum-based motion sensor capable of operating independently of GPS. This development carries significant implications for the military, especially given the increasing vulnerabilities of satellite-based systems in modern warfare.

Photo: Sandia Labs

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Broken but not grounded: The inspiring comeback of F-16 pilot Trent Meisel

On a cloudy May morning in 2023, Air Force Capt. Trent Meisel’s routine flight near the Korean Demilitarized Zone turned into a life-altering ordeal. As his F-16 fighter jet pierced through the clouds, Meisel found himself in every pilot’s nightmare – plummeting towards earth with malfunctioning instruments and mere seconds to react.


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YF-4E Phantom II: A pioneering force in Fly-By-Wire technology

Tony Landis of the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command History Office recently detailed the remarkable history of aircraft 62-12200, the McDonnell YF-4E Phantom II. Now housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF), this aircraft, though often overlooked, played a pivotal role in advancing fly-by-wire (FBW) technology, setting the stage for the development of modern fighter aircraft.

DAYTON, Ohio — McDonnell Douglas YF-4E Phantom II at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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301st Fighter Wing receives first F-35A

The 301st Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, ushered in a new chapter in its storied history on Aug. 8, with the arrival of its first F-35A Lightning II. This delivery marks a significant milestone for both the wing and the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), as the 301st becomes AFRC’s inaugural stand-alone F-35 wing.

An F-35A Lightning II from Hill Air Force Base, Utah arrives to the flightline at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 8, 2024. The 301st Fighter Wing is the first Air Force Reserve Command unit to own, maintain and operate the fifth generation platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Chad Dixon)

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