Chief scientist selected for Directed Energy Directorate

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • Directed Energy Directorate
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Dr. Robert E. Peterkin was recently selected as the Directed Energy Directorate's, chief scientist joining the scientific and technical cadre of senior executives here.

The chief scientist is the directorate's primary adviser on scientific and technical matters and the primary authority for the technical content of the science and technology portfolio.

"The directorate has a longstanding legacy of outstanding research and development and has produced many renowned scientists and engineers, said Dr. Peterkin. "I look forward to working with the Air Force Research Laboratory's world-class researchers to develop and transition directed energy technologies to the operating Air Force and the nation."

Appointed as a senior executive (equivalent to a general officer in the Air Force) in June 2009, Dr. Peterkin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the chief scientist position.

He began his scientific career in 1983 as a staff scientist for the Mission Research Corporation, based in Albuquerque. In 1991, Dr. Peterkin joined the Air Force Research Laboratory and pioneered the application of high performance computing to Air Force research in directed energy. After serving in high-level positions with the directorate's High Power Microwave Division, he became the chief scientist of the Department of Defense's High Performance Computing Modernization Program in Arlington, Va., where he was responsible for the technical execution of its $250 million annual investment in supercomputing research and development.

Dr. Peterkin returned to industry in 2004 to work for the Science Applications International Corporation as vice president in the Applied Sciences Operation in McLean, Va. Between 2006 and 2009, he was appointed to the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, an independent advisory committee to the U.S. Air Force. In 2009, Dr. Peterkin returned to government service and Kirtland AFB as AFRL's senior scientist for high power microwaves.

The New Jersey native graduated from Boston College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. In 1983, he received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in physics and astronomy from the University of North Carolina. Dr. Peterkin has authored or co-authored more than 80 papers and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the Air Force Research Laboratory and SAIC.

With an annual budget of more than $300 million, the AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate is responsible for all Air Force research and development of laser and high-power microwave technologies. The organization conducts advanced technology research to support major directed energy applications such as the active denial system and airborne laser systems.