2005 Johnny Armstrong

Nomination of Mr. Johnny Armstrong
for the
SFTE 2005 "Kelly" Johnson Award

It is my privilege to nominate Mr. Johnny G. Armstrong for the SFTE 2005 “Kelly” Johnson Award. Mr. Johnny Armstrong’s nearly 50-year historic career in flight test has been nothing short of spectacular and he indeed stands out as one of the “legends” of flight test.

Mr. Johnny G. Armstrong currently serves as Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Flight Test Team (HFTT), Engineering Directorate, 412th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. The HFTT is heavily engaged in supporting current space and hypersonic transportation research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) in partnership with NASA and is making great strides in preparing our nation for future space transportation and technology programs. His outstanding leadership significantly contributed to the reinvigoration of Air Force (AF) participation in hypersonic technology development and test programs and is helping our nation break through a technology barrier to achieve highly reliable, highly reusable, and less costly routine access to space.

Mr. Armstrong has tested crucial hypersonic and space vehicles throughout his 48-year career. A gifted flight test engineer, he planned and executed critical missions for the X-15 and several lifting body programs including the X-24A/B, M2-F3 and HL-10. The results from these efforts fed directly into the Space Shuttle’s design and concept of operations. He was handpicked by the AFFTC Commander as the AF lead for the Space Shuttle’s re-entry landing test program as well as the National Aerospace Plane program verifying crucial vehicle performance parameters.

Recognized as having a strong foundation and leadership that contributed greatly to probability of success of experimental programs, Mr. Armstrong became a key player in numerous advanced technology demonstration efforts to include the X-33, X-34, X-37, X-38, X-40 and X-43 projects. His expertise has proven irreplaceable for testing each of these unmanned vehicles--adding a new dimension and complexity to flight testing. Mr. Armstrong oversaw the on-time and under-budget completion of the X-33 launch site at Edwards AFB as well as the intricate, laborious maturation of the Environmental Impact Statement, clearing the use of the site for ground testing and overland launch. He also managed the complex design, integration, and successful testing of the electronic data range required to test the X-33 and X-34 in the airspace between Edwards AFB California and Dugway, Utah. In addition, he directed AF support for testing the X-38 vehicles, a series of experimental demonstrators to mature the technologies for a Crew Return Vehicle (“Space Lifeboat” for astronauts aboard the International Space Station).

Mr. Armstrong is a significant contributor for establishing national policy and priorities for hypersonic and space RDT&E. He was active in advising the USAF Scientific Advisory Board on hypersonic vehicles and the required infrastructure to test such vehicles, directly affecting the findings and recommendations contained in the final report, “Why and Whither Hypersonics Research in the US Air Force.” His expertise has been sought by organizations such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the International Test and Evaluation Association speaking by special invitations at their conferences about the lessons learned.

Mr. Armstrong recently initiated a new curriculum section at the AF Test Pilot School covering the test and evaluation (T&E) of hypersonic and reentry vehicles and is active in keeping the ‘Golden Age of Flight Test’ alive by including individuals involved in the early days of hypersonic research in the modern test programs and teaching efforts. He maintains an active interest in ensuring that history of hypersonic research T&E is not lost. Just this year, Mr. Armstrong organized an historic crosstalk event at the USAF Test Pilot School between members of the flight test team on the X-15 program and members of the SpaceShipOne flight test team. This frank and open discussion of two uniquely different approaches to suborbital flight was a first and allowed the participants to explain how the each overcame significant flight testing challenges to achieve major aerospace milestones. During his career, Mr. Armstrong also authored numerous significant publications and co-authored a historical perspective of flight test engineering at Edwards AFB over a 30-year time span, entitled “Flight Testing at Edwards; Flight Test Engineers Stories 1946-1975” keeping the pioneering spirit of the early post World War II aerospace advances alive. His dedication and contributions are unmatched; he is indeed a national treasure.

The significance of Johnny Armstrong’s contribution to the field of flight test engineering and the advancement of hypersonic flight testing cannot be overemphasized. His complete resume and list of publications are attached. Without any doubt, Mr. Johnny G. Armstrong is extremely worthy and deserving of the prestigious SFTE “Kelly” Johnson Award for 2005. It is my pleasure to respectfully submit him for this high honor in recognition of his nearly 50 years of significant flight test achievements and his historical record for excellence in the flight testing community.