Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice president for Air Mobility programs, has received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management.

Reynolds earned the award for "Outstanding leadership in instituting new and robust processes and management disciplines that have brought long-term stability to the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Airlifter Program."

The award, presented annually since 1997 at the Aviation, Technology, Integration and Operations Conference in Wichita, Kan., is given to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical or aeronautical-related program or project.

"I am both deeply honored and truly surprised to receive this award," said Reynolds. "I am proud of the aircraft cited in this award, but I am most proud of the men and women of Lockheed Martin with whom I have the honor to work. They are the ones who defined and developed the Super Hercules program and brought it to fruition."

The award is named in honor of General Henry H. 'Hap' Arnold (1886-1950), a life-long devotee to the concept of airpower, who became Chief of the Army Air Corps in 1938 and commanded all U.S. air operations through World War II. He oversaw an enormous growth of people, airplanes and support systems and supported initiatives that not only helped win the war, but paved the way for future technologies. Arnold was instrumental in the establishment of a separate U.S. Air Force in 1947. He was a five-star general and the only officer to hold the title of General of the Air Force.

AIAA's mission is to advance the arts, sciences and technology of aeronautics and astronautics, and to promote the professionalism of those engaged in those pursuits.

Reynolds Biography

Ross W. Reynolds was named vice president of Air Mobility Programs for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in November 2004. In this role, he has overall responsibility for the C-130, the C-5 Modernization, the C-27J and related air mobility support programs. Prior to being named vice president, Air Mobility Programs, Reynolds served as the vice president of the C-130J program for four years. He served as F-117 program manager at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's Palmdale, California, facility from May 1996 through November 2000, after serving as the F-117 Offensive Capabilities Improvement program manager, project director and deputy program manager in succession from 1989 through 1996.

He joined Lockheed Martin in July 1970 as a member of the L-1011 TriStar commercial aircraft program. Following a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS James Monroe (SSBN-622), he rejoined Lockheed Martin in 1973 as a member of the Skunk Works and progressed through various positions of increasing responsibility in Material Management, Finance and Program Management.

Reynolds graduated from California State University - Northridge in 1976 with a bachelor of arts in economics and received his master of business administration from the University of California - Los Angeles in 1986. He is also a graduate of the Defense System Management College.

C-130J Super Hercules Background

The C-130J Super Hercules has already become an integral part of the very fabric of airlift operations. Engaged in combat, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief operations around the world, the C-130J is proving itself on a daily basis. U.S. C-130Js have been in combat operations now for two years conducting combat re-supply and troop deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. This past May, U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J tankers broke all previous records for tons of fuel offloaded, tons of cargo moved and passengers carried. The Royal Air Force has been the pathfinder in many operations by having the first C-130J in combat, the first utilization of paratroops, and the first re-supply operations in Afghanistan. Italy has a new deployment location at Herat in western Afghanistan and is setting records for numbers of flight hours, with more than 10,000 per year. Italy's C-130Js have become a common sight around the world where relief and humanitarian support are needed. Australia is among the first air forces to respond when a disaster or terrorist action strikes -- be it Bali or Thailand, the ability of the Australian C-130J fleet to be on hand for evacuation of victims and the delivery of supplies is becoming well known. Denmark -- the newest C-130J operator - has lost no time in deploying its aircraft around the world. They are now a common sight in and out of Afghanistan and locations on every continent. Of the 182 C-130Js that have been ordered, 141 have been delivered.

Lockheed Martin Background

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company