ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Brian M. Kent, internationally recognized scientific expert in radar technology, has joined Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) as Senior Scientist and Science and Technology Lead for electromagnetic (EM), radio frequency (RF) and Sensing Systems.
Dr. Kent retired in June 2014 as Chief Technology Officer of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Dayton, OH after a distinguished 37-year civilian engineering career in the Air Force. He is a renowned subject matter expert in the field of electromagnetics and radio frequency technologies, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA), and AFRL, an IEEE Distinguished International Lecturer, and an adjunct professor of electrical engineering at Michigan State University.
During his tenure with AFRL and its predecessor organizations, Dr. Kent held a variety of positions and was recognized with numerous technical and public service awards during his career including the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, the Michigan State University Claude M. Erickson Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, and the USAF Avionics Laboratory Samuel M. Burka Award (which he received twice). He has authored more than 100 archival scientific publications, written key sections of classified textbooks and design manuals, delivered over 250 lectures, and developed a special low observables short course for the Department of Defense and the Georgia Institute of Technology Research Institute that was taught to more than 3,500 scientists and engineers since its inception in 1989. He travels over the U.S. as part of the IEEE APS Distinguished Lecturer Program. Dr. Kent has also provided technical advice and counsel to a wide range of federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and NASA's Space Shuttle Program.
In the wake of the Columbia Space Shuttle accident, Dr. Kent and the AFRL Multi-spectral Advanced Compact Range measurement facility provided forensic assistance to the investigation and he served on the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) as a radar specialist, provided public testimony to the CAIB in 2003. Dr. Kent was later involved in the design, siting, and integration of the NASA Ascent Debris Radar (NDR) that allows NASA to closely monitor debris liberated from ascending rockets. He worked four operational Shuttle missions for NDR as part of returning the system to operational flight status in 2005-06.
Dr. Kent has made pioneering and lasting contributions to the areas of signature measurement technology, and successfully established international standards for performing radar signature testing. He led the technical development of flight-line signature measurement systems for maintaining "stealth health" for the USAF's operational B-2, F-117, and F-22 aircraft systems, and provided numerous status briefings to the Commander of Air Combat Command, the AF Undersecretary of Acquisition, and the Secretary of the Air Force during its development and deployment.
Dr. Kent graduated with highest honors with his B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University, East Lansing, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
"We are delighted to have Brian Kent join the ARA team. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience with him, and will help ARA diversify and expand our technical portfolio in the exciting fields of radiofrequency, electromagnetics, and sensing system technologies.
--Dr. Dave Jerome, Vice President and Division Manager, Emerald Coast Division.
Media Contacts:
Alisa Kinsaul, Senior Communications Specialist, 850.914.3188, akinsaul@ara.com
About Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically excellent solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. Our mission is to provide in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services. We have a broad range of technical expertise in biomedical engineering, defense technologies, civil engineering, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, and environmental technologies. For additional information, please visit http://www.ara.com.
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