SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A West Point cadet joined the Army’s fundamental research laboratory this summer to research how high-precision laboratory equipment can help advance future Army aerospace capabilities.
Adam Halford, a sophomore mechanical engineering major at the United States Military Academy at West Point, is participating in an Academic Individual Advanced Development internship and is assigned to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory at their West Coast location.
Through Academic Individual Advanced Development experiences, cadets bridge academic study with real-world operations - developing the knowledge, judgment and leadership skills essential to readiness in today’s Army and in a complex global security environment.
Utilizing motion capture and photogrammetry technologies at the University of California Davis Center for Animal Locomotion and Innovation, Halford built important research equipment that will help identify which wing and tail changes are used by hawks to turn in flight. By answering some of the fundamental questions of how birds perform lateral maneuvers, the research aims to inform the design of more maneuverable uncrewed aerial vehicles.
“I’m excited to be a part of a program that will lead to more accurate test results that improve findings from the lab and lead to better aerospace capabilities,” Halford said.
Working in a high-level laboratory environment presented an initial adjustment period for the undergraduate cadet, who found himself surrounded by some of the defense and academic sector's top scientific minds.
“Everyone is highly specialized in their craft, and so I needed to adapt to get on that level,” Hartford said.
Despite the learning curve, Halford found his footing through dedicated research and a key engineering breakthrough early in the design phase.
“A moment where I experienced a breakthrough was when I was initially designing my bird perch, and I had no idea where to start,” Halford said. “Then, I did some research to find out that the concept was much easier than I initially thought it was. I just needed to use a load cell for an easy design.”
Prior to his arrival and throughout the summer, Halford’s research approach was shaped by his DEVCOM ARL mentor, Dr. Pete Khooshabeh, and an educational partner, Professor Christina Harvey from the University of California, Davis, who provided guidance as Halford navigated the complexities of specialized laboratory design and data collection.
For Halford, the experience at ARL did more than just build his engineering resume; it expanded his understanding of the military's broader ecosystem.
In addition to his work in the lab, Halford was able to meet with local summer STEM camp students at the STABRASE Sacramento Academy and talk to them about his journey at West Point so far and what he is working on with ARL this summer.
Looking ahead to next year’s applicants, Halford advised future interns and cadets to begin preparing well before they arrive at their designated laboratories.
“Before you get to your AIAD location, think about what you want to be doing so you’re locked in from day one,” Halford said. “Take time to set goals and plan to take advantage of the opportunities available to you.”
For further information on internships at ARL, please visit https://arl.devcom.army.mil/careers/students/.
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DEVCOM ARL is the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory serving as the nexus of science between the military, academia and industry. Operating under U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command and the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, ARL executes globally recognized research to accelerate delivery of war-winning, disruptive technologies for tomorrow’s Army.
For information, visit the Army Research Laboratory website.
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