Kenneth Gene Wernicke (October 12, 1932 – September 1, 2022) was an American aerospace engineer. He had a leading role in the development of the tilt rotor aircraft Bell XV-3, Bell XV-15 and V-22 Osprey.
Kenneth Wernicke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 12, 1932 Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 2022 (aged 89) Bedford, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Aerospace Engineer |
| Children | Keith Wernicke
Fonda Fox Natalie Aldridge |
Life and career
editKen Wernicke had a BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas.[1]
From 1955 to 1990 he was an engineer at Bell Helicopter,[1] and worked as a leading engineer with Bob Lichten from 1964 on the tilt rotor technology.[2][3][4]
Along with his twin brother Rod, (who was also a Bell engineer) his son Keith and Rod's sons Tim and Kent, he was developing a rubber tracked amphibious vehicle after the US Navy requested concepts for a scout vehicle that could travel on water at high speed and proceed with all terrain capability for reconnaissance on land.[5][6] He holds patents related to flying and tracks.[7]
Wernicke was an advisory board member of rotorcraft company Carter Aviation Technologies.[citation needed]
Wernicke died in Bedford, Texas, on September 1, 2022, at the age of 89.[8]
Awards
editWernicke has received the Paul E. Haueter Memorial Award (American Helicopter Society) in 1978,[9] and the Aircraft Design Award (AIAA) in 1983.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Hydrofoil Presentations" International Hydrofoil Society, 16 May 2011. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ Miller, Jay. "Origin of the Species" Air & Space/Smithsonian, July 2004. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ a b Maisel, Martin D., Demo J. Giulianetti and Daniel C. Dugan. NASA SP-2000-4517, "The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft: From Concept to Flight" (PDF) NASA, 2000. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ Whittle, Richard. "The Dream Machine: The Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey" pp41+48. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010. ISBN 1-4165-6295-8. Retrieved: 11 August 2012.
- ^ Hanlon, Mike. "Killer amphibious vehicle - 39 mph on water and 55 mph on land" GizMag, 27 February 2007. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ Wernicke, Ken "Tracks Provide Amphibians the Sole Means of Propulsion at High Speeds on the Water" International Hydrofoil Society, 10 December 2009. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ "List of patents by Kenneth Wernicke" United States Patent and Trademark Office. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ "Kenneth Wernicke Obituary (1932 - 2022) Star-Telegram". Legacy.com.
- ^ "Paul E. Haueter Award", American Helicopter Society