The United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is a Federal Advisory Committee that provides independent advice on matters of science and technology relating to the Air Force mission, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. In the past, it has provided advice on technologies such as: supersonic aircraft, weather forecasting, satellite communications, medical research, crewless airplanes, and defenses against aircraft and missiles. Today, the SAB performs in-depth reviews of the Air Force Research Laboratory's science and technology research, and performs studies on topics tasked by the Secretary and Chief of Staff.[1] Members are appointed by the Secretary of Defense.[2]
History
editThe board was established in 1944 under the name Scientific Advisory Group with General Henry H. Arnold as the military director and Dr. Theodore von Kármán as the board chair. The group was asked to evaluate the aeronautical research and development programs and facilities of the Axis powers of World War II, and to provide recommendations for future United States Air Force research and development programs. The group's name was changed to the Scientific Advisory Board in 1946.[3]: 146
SAB Chairs
edit| No. | Name | Term of Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Began | Ended | ||
| 1 | Dr. Theodore von Kármán (Chairman Emeritus −1963[3]: 172 ) | 1946 | 1955 |
| 2 | Dr. Mervin J. Kelly | 1955 | 1956 |
| 3 | Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, Maj Gen | 1956 | 1959 |
| 4 | Lt. Gen. Donald L. Putt | 1959 | 1962 |
| 5 | Dr. H. Guyford Stever | 1962 | 1969 |
| 6 | Dr. Courtland D. Perkins | 1969 | 1973 |
| 7 | Dr. Robert G. Loewy | 1973 | 1977 |
| 8 | Dr. Gerald P. Dinneen | 1977 | 1978 |
| 9 | Dr. Courtland D. Perkins | 1978 | 1979 |
| 10 | Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff | 1979 | 1982 |
| 11 | Dr. Eugene E. Covert | 1982 | 1986 |
| 12 | Dr. Robert W. Lucky | 1986 | 1989 |
| 13 | Dr. Edwin B. Stear | 1989 | 1990 |
| 14 | Dr. Harold W. Sorenson | 1990 | 1993 |
| 15 | Dr. Gene McCall | 1993 | 1996 |
| 16 | Mrs. Natalie Crawford and Dr. William F. Ballhaus | 1996 | 1999 |
| 17 | Dr. Robert W. Selden | 1999 | 2002 |
| 18 | Dr. Daniel E. Hastings | 2002 | 2005 |
| 19 | Ms. Heidi Shyu | 2005 | 2008 |
| 20 | Dr. John Betz | 2008 | 2011 |
| 21 | Dr. Eliahu Niewood | 2011 | 2014 |
| 22 | Dr. Werner J.A. Dahm[2] | 2014 | 2017 |
| 23 | Dr. James Chow[4] | 2017 | 2020 |
Scientific Advisory Board Military Directors
1944–1946: Gen Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold[3]: 172
1946–47: Maj Gen Curtis E. Lemay
1947–1948: Lt Gen Laurence Craigie
1948–52,54- : Maj Gen Donald L. Putt
See also
editCitations
edit- ^ "Air Force Scientific Advisory Board". United States Air Force. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ a b Joe Kullman (13 August 2014). "ASU engineer to lead Air Force Scientific Advisory Board".
- ^ a b c Dik A. Daso (2002). Architects of American Air Supremacy: General Hap Arnold and Dr. Theodore Von Kármán. University Press of the Pacific. p. various (see superscripts). ISBN 0-89875-861-0.
- ^ "2020 Current Fiscal Year Report: U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board". S. General Services Administration. Retrieved 19 October 2020.