Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management Open for Nominations 10 November 2024 – 15 January 2025

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The Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management was approved by the AIAA Board of Directors in 1997 and was named in honor of General Henry “Hap” Arnold, a life-long devotee to the concept of air power and Chief of the Army Air Corps in 1938. The award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical or aeronautical related program or project.

The “Basis for the Award” Section should stress the following: (1) Technical Challenges encountered and overcome to create a significant national product or service and how does its performance advance aerospace industry and science. (2) Discuss how the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of Risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources were used to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. (3) Discuss the Cost management processes of planning and controlling the budget of a business to estimate and allocate budget. (4) Discuss how Schedule management was used to set activities and procedures to direct and control completion of a project or process under a proposed schedule. (5) Ensure to discuss overall Career Achievements and Service significance that support the nomination are to be included in the “Resume” and “Service to the Profession” sections. Supporting letters from outside the nominee’s company or organization are highly preferred, but not required..

This annual award is generally presented at the AIAA AVIATION Forum/ASCEND.

Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 10 November
Nomination Deadline: 15 January
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 February

Award Recipients

2024

  • MiMi Aung
    Amazon Web Services
    Awarded
    Award: 2024 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
    AIAA Citation: For exceptional project management and leadership in delivery of the first aircraft on another planet, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, advancing planetary exploration state of the art, and providing a new Mars exploration technology.

2023

  • Dr Parimal H Kopardekar
    NASA Ames Research Center
    Awarded
    Award: 2023 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
    AIAA Citation: For excellence in developing a concept, initiating, and managing NASA UAS Traffic Management research as well as setting up a novel collaborative approach that resulted in a global impact for integrating new entrants into airspace systems.

2022

  • Paul Niewald
    The Boeing Company
    Awarded
    Award: 2022 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
    AIAA Citation: "For championing the use of innovative tools such as digital engineering to transform aircraft development, saving time and cost while enhancing performance and safety."

2020

  • Mr Jay E Dryer
    Awarded
    Award: 2020 Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management Award
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding strategic technical leadership of NASA’s Advanced Air Vehicles and Fundamental Aeronautics Programs significantly advancing a wide range of aircraft – vertical flight through hypersonics

2019

  • Dr Charles J Cross
    US Air Force
    Awarded
    Award: 2019 Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary management and technical leadership of the Versatile Affordable Advance Turbine Engines (VAATE) Program to advance turbine engine technology through focused research and development.

2018

  • Jeffrey A Babione
    Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
    Awarded
    Award: 2018 Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
    AIAA Citation: For exemplary leadership and program management contributions to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics F-16, F-22, and F-35 programs.

2017

  • Col (AF) Robert Arbach
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding vision, development, leadership and execution of technology programs for the advancement of U.S. military aerospace systems.

2016

  • Mr. Paul R Adams
    Pratt & Whitney
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exceptional program management and leadership in the engineering, development, and production of game-changing technological products, including Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower Geared Turbofan ™ engine.

2014

  • Dr Steven H Walker
    DARPA
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding and distinguished leadership and management of the Air Force science and technology and acquisition at the Pentagon.

2012

  • Mr Ralph Heath
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For leadership and program management in the transition of the USAF F-22 Raptor from development to production.

2011

  • Vincent Capezzuto
    Federal Aviation Association
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For innovative leadership that delivered the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) System, an enabling technology for the Next Generation Air Transportation System.

2010

  • Dr Michael B Leahy
    Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the development of unmanned combat air vehicles and leadership in Air Force technology development and investment planning processes.

2009

  • Dr Larry A Burns
    Universal Technology Corporation
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For leadership and management of the national Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) Program to advance turbine engine technology through focused research and development.

2008

  • Dr Michael S Francis
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of aeronautics and unmanned aerospace systems.

2007

  • Mr. Lowell C Keel
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For leadership and management contributions to the NASA Hyper-X Program while acting as the Program Manager for the X-43A prime contractor.

2005

  • Mr Michael D Trotsky
    Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For extraordinary leadership of and engineering contributions to hit-to-kill missile systems while leading the PAC-3 missile development team.

2004

  • Mr. Patrick C Waddick
    Cirrus Design
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Mr. Waddick developed an engineering team, led a new general aviation project through successful FAA Type Certification, and now supports two aircraft per day production in a start-up company

2003

  • Mr David J Bernstorf
    BCX Consulting, LLC
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Exceptional leadership and technical management of the development, design, and certification of the all-new, entry-level business jet, the Premier 1

2002

  • Dr Paul D Nielsen
    Software Engineering Institute
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the restructuring of the Milstar satellite program, for an exemplary as Director of Plans for NORAD, and for visionary leadership of the Air Force Research Laboratory in these demanding times

2001

  • Preston A Henne
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For Outstanding Contributions in the Management of the Gulfstream V Aircraft Program which brought to market, as planned, the world’s first ultra-long range business jet

1998

  • Mr. Michael M Sears
    The Boeing Company
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: In recognition of bold and innovative management initiatives which have yielded success stories in strategic aeronautical programs, including the F-22, C-17, and JDAM

1997

  • Mrs. Darleen A Druyun
    The Boeing Company
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisitions)/1997