AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence

Established in 1998, the AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence acknowledges outstanding achievements by individuals or groups in the aerospace community. Eligible nominees will offer a unique achievement or extraordinary lifetime contributions inspiring the global aerospace community.

This award has been discontinued.

Award Recipients

2018

  • Honda Aircraft Company
    Honda Aircraft Company
    Awarded
    Award: For leading the design, development and commercialization of HondaJet, an advanced light business jet; pioneering advanced aerodynamic and structural technology; and leading Honda into aviation; and for setting a new standard in business aviation.
    AIAA Citation: For leading the design, development and commercialization of HondaJet, an advanced light business jet; pioneering advanced aerodynamic and structural technology; and leading Honda into aviation; and for setting a new standard in business aviation.

2017

  • NASA Langley Research Center
    NASA Langley Research Center
    Awarded
    Award: NASA Langley Research Center
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of 100 years of excellence in aerospace achievements, scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs.

2016

  • GEN John R Dailey
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary service as a Marine, NASA, and NASM executive, with a deep commitment to sharing aviation and spaceflight history and technology with present and future generations.

2015

  • X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Team
    X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Team
    Awarded
    Award: -
    AIAA Citation: For successfully combining the best of aircraft and spacecraft capabilities - creating a system that is durable, affordable, and capable of spending long durations in orbit, executing autonomous landing, and being reused for future missions.

2014

  • X51A WaveRider Team
    X51A WaveRider Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: “For the demonstration of the feasibility of sustained air breathing hypersonic flight by achieving a 300 second flight at Mach 5.”

2013

  • Curiosity Mission, Mars Science Laboratory
    Curiosity Mission, Mars Science Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For significant accomplishment in space exploration, inspiring global fascination with space.

2012

  • 787 Dreamliner, The Boeing Company
    787 Dreamliner, The Boeing Company
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For the groundbreaking development of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as a super-efficient, game-changing airplane that brings big-jet ranges and speeds to mid-size airplanes and provides airlines with unmatched value and efficiency by using 20 percent less fuel than today’s similarly sized airplanes.

2011

  • U. S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board
    U. S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For more than six decades of scientific counsel, selfless service, and technical leadership to the U. S. Air Force - capably serving the vision of General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold and Dr. Theodor von Kármán.

2010

  • Joint Strike Fighter Program
    Joint Strike Fighter Program
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: To recognize the cutting-edge design and technology excellence and global collaboration of the Joint Strike Fighter enabling a unique battlespace capability for the future.

2009

  • Challenger Center For Space Science Education
    Challenger Center For Space Science Education
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For two decades of inspiration and fostering interest in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

2008

  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: To recognize 50 years of historic space exploration which began with the first Earth-orbiting U.S. satellite - Explorer 1 - and continues today throughout the solar system, and beyond.

2007

  • Mr. Gordon Bethune
    Aloha Airlines Inc
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For three decades of committed leadership, strategic insight, and distinguished achievements in the development, growth, and promotion of the aerospace, aviation and airline industries.

2006

  • Dr L. Skip Fletcher
    Texas A&M University
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For four decades of dedicated service to the aerospace community as an educator, mentor and leader, and for exemplary efforts to further international collaboration in science and engineering.

2005

  • Mr. Alan R Mulally
    Ford Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For a lifetime of immeasurable contributions to aviation. During a career spanning more than 36 years, Alan Mulally has travelled the road at Boeing from entry-level engineer to president and CEO of the Commercial Airplanes division. Along the way, he worked through flight control, flight management, flight dynamics and general management assignments on a succession of airplanes, including the 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787.His vision, integrity and enthusiasm have helped ensure the future successof the aerospace industry.

2004

  • GEN John Shalikashvili
    7804 79th Avenue SE
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For his immeasurable contributions to the United States military during a career that began in 1958 as a draftee and spanned 30 years until his retirement as the thirteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1997

2003

  • John Travolta
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For dedicated support to aviation and significant effort to reach across borders and promote the advantages and safety of commercial flying.

2002

  • GEN Tommy Franks
    USCINCCENT (ARMY)
    Awarded

2001

  • Daniel S Goldin
    Intellisis
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: for his dedication and professionalism as NASA’s longest-serving Administrator.

2000

  • Mr. Norman R Augustine
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For lifetime commitment to and achievement in aerospace, spanning more than 30 years and encompassing leadership positions in numerous aerospace, science and engineering organizations.

1999

  • John H Glenn
    John Glenn School of Public Affairs
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For almost four decades of leadership of government and industry partners in the achievement of unsurpassed technological progress and in the development, launch, and operations of critical space systems in support of our national security.

1998

  • National Reconnaissance Office
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For almost four decades of leadership of government and industry partners in the achievement of unsurpassed technological progress and in the development, launch, and operations of critical space systems in support of our national security.