Air Breathing Propulsion Award Open for Nominations 10 February 2025 – 1 June 2025

Award Recipients

2024

• Dr Aspi R Wadia
  GE Aerospace

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For sustained excellence, global impact, and revolutionary research and development in gas turbine aerodynamics.

2023

• Feng Liu
  University of California, Irvine

  Awarded

  Award: 2023 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Awar

  AIAA Citation: For the turbine-burner engine innovation and other high-impact contributions of computational methods for turbomachinery aerodynamics.

2022

• Dr Srinath V Ekkad
  North Carolina State University

  Awarded

  Award: 2022 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: “For significant technical contributions to development of pioneering detailed heat transfer measurements inside gas turbines and continued leadership in the aerospace community to develop new industry-university partnerships.”

2021

• Dr J. Philip Drummond PE
  NASA Langley Research Center

  Awarded

  Award: 2021 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For his pioneering contributions to high speed air-breathing propulsion, his leadership in aerospace engineering, and for his continuous contributions to the AIAA.

2020

• Prof Heinz Pitsch
  RWTH Aachen University

  Awarded

  Award: 2020 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For seminal contributions to the fundamental understanding, theory, and computational modeling of turbulent combustion

2019

• Prof Karen A Thole
  Pennsylvania State University

  Awarded

  Award: 2019 Air Breathing Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: For significant technical contributions to the understanding of convective heat transfer in gas turbine engines, and continuing efforts to promote participation of underrepresented groups in aerospace.

2018

• Dr Gabriel D Roy
  Awarded

  Award: 2018 Air Breathing Propulsion Award

  AIAA Citation: “For contribution to Air Breathing Systems by envisioning and managing over 500 R&D projects leading to innovations, increased range and speed, and reduced emission and noise.”

2017

• Dr Campbell D Carter
  U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

  Awarded

  Award: “Outstanding research on optical diagnostics for high-speed flowfields, including: 1) PLIF of OH and CH; 2)n-LIBS; 3) X-ray fluorescence; and 4) chemiluminescence-based tomography.”

  AIAA Citation: “Outstanding research on optical diagnostics for high-speed flowfields, including: 1) PLIF of OH and CH; 2)n-LIBS; 3) X-ray fluorescence; and 4) chemiluminescence-based tomography.”

2016

• Dr Wesley K Lord
  Pratt & Whitney

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 40 years of technical contributions advancing the state of the art propulsors for commercial aircraft engines, reducing noise and improving fuel burn.

2015

• Mr Jan Schilling
  Retired

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For innovation in gas turbine engine design and safety, especially in composite fan blading, low NOx combustion, and high pressure ratio compressor airfoils.

2014

• Prof Ashwani K Gupta
  University of Maryland

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the understanding and development of advanced high intensity combustors for near zero emission high performance airbreathing propulsion.

2013

• Mr Thomas A Kaemming
  Innovative Scientific Solutions Incorporated

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: “For outstanding technical contributions, creativity, and pioneering research that greatly contributed to the advancement of pulse detonation engines and high speed air breathing propulsion technology.

2012

• Prof Walter F O'Brien
  Virginia Tech

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical contributions, creativity, and generosity that have inspired hundreds of students to achieve bright careers in gas turbine and high speed propulsion.

2011

• Dr James L Mace
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For unique and sustained contributions to the advancement of technology of integrated aircraft propulsion systems and their interdisciplinary design analysis and test.

2010

• Mr Bobby L Berrier
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For extensive and sustained contributions to the understanding of propulsion airframe integration on a broad range of military and commercial aircraft as an individual contributor and technology leader.

2008

• Dr Hukam C Mongia
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For extensive and sustained contributions to the design and development of high-performance, low-emission gas turbine combustors as individual contributor and technology leader.

2007

• Prof Dilip R Ballal
  University of Dayton

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions that have greatly advanced the science and art of combustors and jet fuels for air breathing propulsion.

2006

• Dr Anthony J Strazisar
  NASA Glenn Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering research contributions in the area of gas turbine fluid dynamics and in particular for advancing the compressor technology through the development of laser anemometer measurement techniques and compressor stall control strategies.

2005

• Dr Vigor Yang
  Georgia Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical contribution to the understanding and control of unsteady combustion in air breathing propulsion systems and extensive contributions to aerospace technical literature.

2004

• Dr Edward T Curran
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: Dr. Curran is a pioneer of hypersonic propulsion and an early advocate for supersonic combustion ramjets. He holds a joint patent for his foundational work, which today is being proven in flight.
• Tom Curran
  Universal Technology Corporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: Dr. Curran is a pioneer of hypersonic propulsion and an early advocate for supersonic combustion ramjets. He holds a joint patent for his foundational work, which today is being proven in flight

2003

• Dr Ben T Zinn
  Georgia Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions tot he understanding and active control of unsteady combustion phenomena in air breathing propulsion systems

2002

• Dr Richard B Rivir
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in the areas of heat transfer and aerodynamics in gas turbine engines

2001

• John J Adamczyk
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in the application of turbomachinery flow modeling to turbine engine research resulting in major reductions in turbine engine development time and cost

2000

• Mr Charles R McClinton
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership and technical achievement in the development of hypersonic air breathing propulsion systems.

1999

• Dr Allen S Novick
  Rolls-Royce Corp

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For successfully designing, developing, and producing the world''''s first family of turboshaft, turboprop, and turbofan engines for military and civil use based on a single common core

1998

• Dr Joseph A Schetz
  Virginia Tech

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For recognition as a world-renowned researcher in the field of Air Breathing Propulsion working in the areas of ramjets/scramjets, base burning, and turbine engine aerodynamics and heat.

1997

• Dr H Lee Beach Jr
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of significant contributions and outstanding leadership in the field of air breathing propulsion technology.

1996

• Dr Louis A Povinelli
  NASA Glenn Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For sustaining technical contributions to the understanding of the internal flows of air breathing propulsion systems, and for outstanding leadership in air breathing propulsion research

1995

• Mr. Thomas A Auxier
  Pratt & Whitney

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering leadership in the design of both high temperature air cooled turbines with exceptional improvements in durability and performance

1994

• Dr Budugur Lakshminarayana
  The Pennsylvania State Univ

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions as professor, researcher and author to the fundamental understanding of complex turbomachinery flows and development of practical methods for controlling these flows.

1993

• Thomas L Dubell
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering leadership innovation in the design of a new generation of combustors and afterburners with significant improvement in durability.

1992

• Dr Donald M Dix
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For superior support of AIAA and ABPTC and for outstanding leadership in developing and directing the Integrated High performance Turbine Engine Technology initiative to maintain United States Military air superiority and United States commercial aviation preeminence.

1991

• Dr Frank B Wallace Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For support to AIAA and his management and leadership of the Allison Gas Turbine Company resulting in the growth of Allison as one of the leading gas turbine manufacturers in the United States.

1990

• Mr. John J Curry
  Allison Gas Turbine Division of the General Motors Corporation

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For distinguished contributions and leadership in establishing Joint Air Force/Navy Technology Programs, culminating in the Joint Technology Demonstrator Engine Program. Their efforts were instrumental in the development of the powerplants for the Advanced Fighter Aircraft
• Mr. Thomas J Sims
  United States Air Force

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For distinguished contributions and leadership in establishing Joint Air Force/Navy Technology Programs, culminating in the Joint Technology Demonstrator Engine Program. Their efforts were instrumental in the development of the powerplants for the Advanced Fighter Aircraft.

1989

• Raymond M Standahar
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his leadership and devotion to the advancement of gas turbine engine technology through the continued and ardent support to the Advance Technology Engine Demonstrator (ATEGG and JTDE) Programs

1988

• Dr William H Heiser
  William Heiser Consultant

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contribution to the advancement of jet engine technology. As a pioneer of modern turbine aerodynamics, he was instrumental in the justification of the national Aeropropulsion System Test Facility, and a major contributor to the teaching and writings of his field

1987

• Gordon C Oates
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his sincere personal commitment, selfless devotion, and exceptional technical ability in the field of aerospace propulsion and power

1986

• Mr. Frank E Pickering
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For distinguished contributions and outstanding leadership in the design and development of turboshaft, turbofan, and turboprop aircraft gas turbine engines which set new world standards in performance, reliability and durability

1985

• Mr. Robert D Hawkins
  Systems Clearing House

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his outstanding contributions to engine design and development, and inspired leadership in the advancement of gas turbine technology.

1984

• Bernard L Koff
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of pioneering contributions to aircraft gas turbine engines and related technologies uses throughout the aerospace industry including the design and development of the innovative F100 Increased Life Core

1983

• Donald W Bahr
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of extensive leadership and contributions to the science of combuster design and emission control which have enhanced civil aircraft engine capabilities and led to exceptionally stable combustion systems for advanced military engines.

1982

• Mr. William H Sens
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering work in engine performance prediction and advanced methodologies essential to proper engine/airframe integration and his application of such to the JT3D and JT8D engine development programs which revolutionized commercial aviation.

1981

• Fred McFee
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For forty years of inspired leadership and outstanding contributions to the creation, development and production of advanced aircraft gas turbine engines, including both military and commercial applications.

1980

• Melvin J Hartman
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the planning and supervision of research programs that have significantly advanced the technology of high-speed fans and compressors for aircraft engines.

1979

• Dr Arthur J Wennerstrom
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For noteworthy engineering excellence in innovative compressor design which significantly advanced the state of the art for compressor system technology

1978

• William J Blatz
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For meritorious accomplishments of technical leadership in developing unique propulsion and airframe integration concepts for the F-15 tactical fighter.

1977

• Mr. Edward Woll
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 30 years of sustained significant contributions to the aircraft industry through innovative conception, design and development of gas turbine engines, including the total engine spectrum from small turboshaft to large bypass turbofans; through active participation in many technical societies and advisory boards; and through innovative leadership in design-to-cost principles

1976

• Mr. Frederick T Rall Jr.
  United States Air Force

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical leadership in achieving a new state-of-the-art in air breathing propulsion systems - the total F-15 tactical fighter propulsion system, including major air vehicle advancements and the F100 new technology engine