Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. — Forty leading scientists and engineers were inducted into the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Fellows program as new associate fellows during Sept. 14 ceremonies here and in Point Mugu, California.

Established in 2000, the Fellows Program has recognized 473 NAVAIR engineers and scientists for their significant technical contributions to naval aviation, while also encouraging innovation and advancements in their technical fields. Fellows are also expected to mentor future generations of NAVAIR engineers and scientists.

“The magnitude of the nationally, and in some cases internationally, recognized talent sitting here in this room is impressive,” said NAVAIR Commander Vice. Adm. Paul Grosklags, the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

The program’s 2017 associate fellow class will be complete when the remaining members are inducted at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake later this month.

The program is divided into three tiers—associate fellows, full fellows and esteemed fellows. The 2017 inductees include two new esteemed fellows: Robert Pyke of the Weapons and Energetics Department and Robert Hintz of the Avionics, Sensors and E*Warfare Department.

Only three percent of NAVAIR engineers and scientists can be selected as associate fellows, and only 0.25 percent are eligible to become esteemed fellows. After the ceremony, the program counted 209 associate fellows, 46 full fellows, and 13 esteemed fellows.

“You are among the best that our nation has to offer, and we need to leverage that,” Grosklags said. “You’re the innovators, you’re the inventors, you are the problem solvers. That’s why you’re being recognized today, and your achievements are a testimony to the ability to do more, quite honestly, to carry the Navy, Marine Corps, and NAVAIR into the future.”

Over his 37-year career at China Lake, Pyke has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading infrared guided missile systems engineers. Known as “Mr. Sidewinder,” he is a renowned expert in infrared seeker optics and signals processing, anti-tamper devices, optical fuzing, and the design of rocket motors, warheads, and missiles.

Meanwhile, Hintz has spent 48 years with NAVAIR’s Weapons Division, becoming internationally recognized for his work in laser radar, targeting and fire control systems. Chair of a NATO laser radar working group, Hintz has received the Von Karmen Medal, NATO’s highest technical honor.
Grosklags issued the inductees a couple of challenges. First, he encouraged them to apply critical and strategic thinking “not only to the challenges that are facing us today, those that we know about, but think about how we’re going to deal with the challenges that face us in the future, whether it’s you facing those challenges, or it’s the folks who are working for you today.”

To that end, Grosklags also challenged the new fellows to “empower the folks you’re working with.” He cited the example of Grace Hopper, a former rear admiral, and pioneering computer programmer.

“Adm. Hopper was a huge fan of mentorship and empowerment, and she said the most important thing that she had accomplished was training the young people that worked with her,” Grosklags said. “One of her famous quotes was, ‘A young mind meeting an important problem or challenge for the first time often results in innovation.’ They don’t know any other way to tackle it, so they start from scratch.

They come up with new ideas. That’s what we need. That’s what I ask of you.”
2017 Esteemed Fellows
• Robert Hintz, Avionics, Sensors and E*Warfare Department
• Robert Pyke, Weapons and Energetics Department

2017 Associate Fellows
Chief Technology Office
• Dr. Christopher Heagney

Systems Engineering Department
• Mark Boas
• Robert Ernst
• Wayne Parsons
• Charles Wagner

Cost Department
• David Proctor

Air Vehicle Engineering Department
• Dr. Sung Choi
• Dr. Bradford Green
• Edward Harris
• Ian Hawkins
• Steven McLaughlin
• Rodney Olsen

Propulsion & Power Engineering Department
• Kevin Connor
• James McDonnell
• Dr. Alan Pentz

Avionics Sensors & E*Warfare Department
• Jeffrey Anderson
• Dr. Brandon Cochenour
• Thomas Cook
• Dr. Nathan Naluai
• Richard Rosa
• Dr. Josef Schaff
• Kevin Young

Human Systems Department
• Beth Atkinson
• Randall Blackburn
• Rocco Portoghese
• Dr. Edwin Sieveka

Weapons and Energetics Department
• John Carter
• Nancy Cheadle

Support Equipment & ALRE Department
• Gregory Borlaug
• David Hoffman
• Michael Jiavaras
• Richard Kotelnick
• Richard Lawrence
• Dr. Russell Shannon

Software and Mission Systems Integration Department
• Brett Edwards
• Chris Rickets

Rapid Capability Engineering and Integration Department
• Gregory Gibbs
• William Stack

Integrated Systems Evaluation, Experimentation & Test Department
• Christina Allee
• Dr. Mark London
• Robert Nantz
• Mark Sweet

Range Department
• Paul “Mike” Hardman

Threat/Targets Systems Department
• Jacqueline Garcia
• David Purdy

Integrated Battlespace Simulation and Test Department

• Dr. Stephen O’Day

Logistics & Management Department
• Woodrow Payton

Industrial & Logistics Maintenance Planning &Sustainment Department
• Mary Hammerer
• Frank Magnifico Jr.