John Choi Director, Special Purpose UAS Quick Reaction Capability, Special Programs General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

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John-Choi-2022

As Director of Special Purpose UAS within Special Programs at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), John Choi leads the development, demonstration, test and support of Predator® series Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and their associated systems for various customers. GA-ASI designs, manufactures, operates and supports a variety of combat proven, highly reliable RPA for military applications worldwide.

During John’s tenure at GA-ASI, he has delivered, sustained and modernized various Predator B aircraft, to include the maritime Guardian and Ground Control Station variants for Customs and Border Protection.  He has directed numerous tests and demonstrations for Missile Defense Agency and the United States Marine Corps and delivered the first Contractor Owned Contractor Operated (COCO) capability to the Marines.   His responsibilities also included the certification and airspace/spectrum management of company owned RPA with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as cooperative development and support of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) programs.  He is currently responsible for the continued development and sustainment of the Predator C Avenger platform, support of Test Resource Management Center’s SkyRange program and the Detect And Avoid (DAA) system certification effort among others.    

Prior to joining the company in 2011 as a Program Manager, John served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years primarily as a Naval Flight Officer with the S-3B Viking community until de-commissioning and deployed aboard five different aircraft carriers. John also holds a single and multi-engine land airplane pilot rating from the FAA.  Previous assignments include Assistant Program Manager at PMW 160 Tactical Networks; Security Assistance Management at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen; Executive Officer and Department Head, Sea Control Squadrons 41 and 33; Executive Assistant, United States Forces Korea.  Additionally, John completed various other operational and administrative assignments and retired with the rank of Commander. 

John is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He obtained a Master of Science degree on-line with initial focus in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland University College.  He also attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI where he earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.  John is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management and a graduate of the Department of Defense’s Program Manager’s course (PMT401), a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps.