SAN DIEGO, CA, 12 JAN 2018 – General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that Dr. Robert Peterkin has joined the organization as director of Operations for the organization’s new Albuquerque, New Mexico office. Dr. Peterkin will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of technology strategies and roadmaps to meet future customer requirements and market opportunities for directed energy, space systems, and pulsed power in the Albuquerque area.
“Robert has an exemplary reputation within the Air Force and the directed energy community, and we are excited to bring his extensive experience and leadership skills in advancing technology and scientific research to GA-EMS,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “With Robert’s assistance, we look forward to establishing closer ties to the local research, laboratory, and private and government communities to help expand our portfolio of transformative technologies and advance our weapon and space systems capabilities to support the future warfighter.”
Dr. Peterkin’s professional career began pioneering the use of high performance computing for directed energy applications. Prior to joining GA-EMS, Dr. Peterkin was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in the U.S. Air Force and served as chief scientist for directed energy at the New Mexico campus of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). In this position, he ensured the technical quality and Air Force relevance of AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate’s research in high energy lasers, high power electromagnetics, advanced optics, and modeling and simulation. Previously, Dr. Peterkin served as chief scientist of the Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program with responsibility for the technical execution of the DOD’s significant investment in supercomputer resources, research, and development.
In 2015, Dr. Peterkin received the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award from President Barack Obama. Dr. Peterkin was also a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and has authored or co-authored approximately 100 papers and given numerous contributed and invited talks at scientific and technical conferences and symposia. He is a Fellow of both the American Physical Society and the AFRL, and was named an SAIC Technical Fellow in 2006. Dr. Peterkin received his Ph.D. in physics and astronomy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Bachelor of Science in physics from Boston College.
About General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group is a global leader in the research, design, and manufacture of first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ history of research, development, and technology innovation has led to an expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions supporting aviation, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and processing and monitoring applications for critical defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.
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EMS-MediaRelations@ga.com