Photos

Children interact with a Quad-legged Unmanned Ground Vehicle during the Army's 250th birthday celebration at Fort Bragg, N.C., June 10, 2025.

SpaceX Crew-10 launches aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft piloted by astronaut and Air Force Maj. Nichole "Vapor" Ayer at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., March 14, 2025.

Air Force cadet Junhyung Park works on a drone in preparation for a field test, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 16, 2025.

An anthropomorphic test device sits on the ejection seat of a horizontal impulse accelerator seconds before being subjected to impact acceleration in the biodynamics laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Nov. 14, 2024. The testing allows researchers to evaluate aircrew flight equipment and seats for safety and functionality.

A team of Defense Department drone operators and experts test the technical capabilities of various uncrewed aerial systems during a Defense Innovation Unit prize challenge at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2024. The tests ensure the drones are safe, cybersecure and meet DOD requirements.

An unmanned aerial system rises above Eglin Air Force Base, Oct. 8, 2024. Airmen flew the third-party drone for the first time to test its aircraft avoidance capabilities.

A Falcon 9 rocket launches from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Sept. 28, 2024. The rocket carried Space Force Col. Nick Hague in a Dragon spacecraft that he will pilot to the International Space Station.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying satellites into space launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Aug. 31, 2024.

Air Force Cadet 1st Class Ryan Hebert forges a knife in the U.S. Air Force Academy’s mechanical engineering department in Colorado Springs, Colo., March 11, 2024. Cadets in the senior-level physical metallurgy course constructed a knife for their class project.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying satellites launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., March 10, 2024.

Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with specialized software and sensors fly during the Technical Concept Experiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 19, 2024. The event showcased multiple systems designed to enhance the ability to carry out amphibious operations.

A service member uses a pilot training prototype as part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s participation in the annual Interservice Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 28, 2023. The event brings together stakeholders from industry, academia, government, military service branches, and allies and partner nations around the world.

Soldiers race boats during Pacific Engineer Week 2023 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Nov. 27, 2023. Each team built their own boats out of cardboard and duct tape.

Air Force Master Sgt. Dominic Garcia observes Atom the robot dog as teammates operate it via remote control training at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 6, 2023. Airmen tested the device in a variety of different environments.

Navy Lt. Ethan McGann, an ear, nose and throat physician, demonstrates how to perform a laryngoscopy for a student at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s simulation center in Virginia, Oct. 17, 2023. The students visited the center to encourage and enhance education and research opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Simon Daughtry, left, and Sgt. Angel Garza receive communications through satellite dishes in preparation for Resolute Dragon in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 10, 2023. The annual bilateral exercise strengthens ties between U.S. and Japanese forces.

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Birdwell operates a robotic system during an educational demonstration for Military Homeschoolers of Hawaii students at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 21, 2023. Participants learned about military occupations, specifically those related to science and technology.

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets fly the Merlin P521 engineering flight simulator at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 21, 2023.

Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District personnel conduct an annual inspection of Mount Morris Dam in Mount Morris, N.Y., May 16, 2023, as part of the Dam Safety Program. The program helps operate and maintain about 740 dams.

A U.S. Military Academy cadet participates in the 24th Annual Projects Day Research Symposium at West Point, N.Y., May 4, 2023. The event is designed to strengthen cadets’ role in the academic community, to exercise self-reflection to deepen knowledge base and to celebrate bold innovation.