FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2008
Company EVP Receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Aerospace Engineering
SAN DIEGO – 23 May 2008 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical reconnaissance radars, today announced that Frank Pace, executive vice president of the company’s Aircraft Systems Group, has been honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) with a local lifetime achievement award in aerospace engineering. The San Diego Section is dedicated to promoting awareness, activism and access throughout the aerospace community.
Mr. Pace was recognized at the San Diego Section’s 2008 Annual Awards Banquet held yesterday for a lifelong career in aerospace engineering highlighted by his successful full life-cycle management of many unmanned aircraft systems that have revolutionized the field of UAS and their use in combat. The award is presented to candidates who have made a significant contribution to aerospace engineering over a lifelong career.
“Mr. Pace’s significant contributions over his distinguished 27-year aerospace engineering career have transformed the global UAS industry,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. “His innovative engineering programs have dramatically improved UAS capabilities, accelerated global UAS procurement, and established the standard against which all other UAS are judged. His impressive efforts have contributed to GA-ASI’s recognition as the world’s premier supplier of unmanned aircraft systems, and we are very proud to have him on our team.”
Frank Pace has been a leader in unmanned flight for over 27 years and in unmanned aircraft for 22 years. An aerospace engineering “pioneer and pacesetter,” his engineering prowess, vision, and innovation have been pivotal to GA-ASI’s development and production of more than 275 proven and reliable UAS that have logged over 450,000 flight hours, with over 80% of that time spent in combat. His engineering achievements have produced a series of proven UAS that have been critical to U.S. and coalition forces during combat operations in the Balkans Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, provides comprehensive unmanned aircraft and radar solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable unmanned aircraft systems, including Predator® A, Predator B, and Sky Warrior®, and provides pilot training and support services for UAS field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® SAR/GMTI radar onto both manned and unmanned aircraft, as well as the highly sophisticated CLAW® sensor control software. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Predator, Sky Warrior, Lynx, and CLAW are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For more information contact:
Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.312.2294
kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com