Peter H. Haas
1921-1986 |
Peter Haas was a pioneer in the field of nuclear weapons effects beginning in the mid 1950s. He proposed and conducted some of the landmark experiments on nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and transient radiation effects on electronics (TREE) at the Nevada and Pacific Nuclear Test Sites.
He was always a strong advocate for laboratory simulation facilities and it was under his direction that some of the early neutron displacement effects research was done in pulsed nuclear reactors. He had the imagination and foresight to suggest that electronic circuitry might undergo severe changes in behavior when exposed to a nuclear radiation pulse, and this was the genesis of the discipline known as TREE. Pete was a tutor for many people who were and are major contributors to the field of Radiation Survivability Research and Technology. |
Purpose of the Award:
To recognize individuals "who have demonstrated outstanding and innovative technical contributions or leadership in the successful development of U.S. hardened military and space systems."
The Plaque states:
"For Superior Achievement in Radiation Survivability Research and Technology"
To recognize individuals "who have demonstrated outstanding and innovative technical contributions or leadership in the successful development of U.S. hardened military and space systems."
The Plaque states:
"For Superior Achievement in Radiation Survivability Research and Technology"
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2021 Award Winner
Wallace T. Clark III
“For leadership in instrumentation, electromagnetics, and nuclear hardness and survivability for national nuclear defense”
“For leadership in instrumentation, electromagnetics, and nuclear hardness and survivability for national nuclear defense”
Dr. Clark retired as a GS-15 (equivalent) civil servant from the U.S. Air Force on 30 November 2020. His last position was Deputy Chief Scientist, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Kirtland Air Force Base NM. The AFNWC is the single Air Force voice for integrating nuclear weapon systems requirements, nuclear weapon system resource management, and certification. The Chief Scientist’s office provides scientific and technological advice to the Commander and is the AFNWC’s single point of entry for advanced science, technology, and innovation via coordination with the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, academia, industry, and other mission partners.
Dr. Clark has held numerous scientific, engineering, and leadership positions in industry and the Air Force across a wide variety of disciplines, organizations, and national security programs. He began his post academic career in 1982 as a scientist at the DOE Y-12 Weapons Plant, Oak Ridge TN leading design and construction of high vacuum multispecies out-gassing test stations; later he investigated and developed in vivo fiber optic based blood pressure and blood gas transducers at AT&T Bell Laboratories; he measured the electromagnetic signature of a Trident missile’s 3rd stage plume for the U.S. Navy; and he developed the 9-space algorithm to determine the instantaneous camera observation and aim point for the first U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
As Chief of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Laser Division, he guided the Airborne Tactical Laser program that defeated a moving ground vehicle from a tactical aircraft, and led the scientific effort behind the Airborne Laser, a strategic aircraft mounted laser that targeted and defeated a missile in flight. As the AFRL High Power Microwave Division Chief he drove the implementation and successful flight test of a counter electronics system and deployment of a counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) system.
Dr. Clark’s other AFNWC positions were Chief Scientist of the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing, Chief of the Systems and Enterprise Engineering Divisions, and Chief of the Weapons Effects Survivability Division. He was the technical lead of the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) portions of the AF Comprehensive Assessment of Nuclear Sustainment III report leading to his initiation of a cross MAJCOM and DoD coalition to assess and test the EMP survivability of AF systems. He was the leading advocate for survivability testing of AF systems, procuring funds to improve DoD test facilities and persuading the AF to finance testing of AF deterrence systems. He steered the modeling of Nuclear Weapons Effects and methods for systems to survive those effects. He integrated disciplines and efforts to assure that weapons and systems would always function as expected, because “proven survivability is deterrence.”
Dr. Clark has held numerous scientific, engineering, and leadership positions in industry and the Air Force across a wide variety of disciplines, organizations, and national security programs. He began his post academic career in 1982 as a scientist at the DOE Y-12 Weapons Plant, Oak Ridge TN leading design and construction of high vacuum multispecies out-gassing test stations; later he investigated and developed in vivo fiber optic based blood pressure and blood gas transducers at AT&T Bell Laboratories; he measured the electromagnetic signature of a Trident missile’s 3rd stage plume for the U.S. Navy; and he developed the 9-space algorithm to determine the instantaneous camera observation and aim point for the first U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
As Chief of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Laser Division, he guided the Airborne Tactical Laser program that defeated a moving ground vehicle from a tactical aircraft, and led the scientific effort behind the Airborne Laser, a strategic aircraft mounted laser that targeted and defeated a missile in flight. As the AFRL High Power Microwave Division Chief he drove the implementation and successful flight test of a counter electronics system and deployment of a counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) system.
Dr. Clark’s other AFNWC positions were Chief Scientist of the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing, Chief of the Systems and Enterprise Engineering Divisions, and Chief of the Weapons Effects Survivability Division. He was the technical lead of the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) portions of the AF Comprehensive Assessment of Nuclear Sustainment III report leading to his initiation of a cross MAJCOM and DoD coalition to assess and test the EMP survivability of AF systems. He was the leading advocate for survivability testing of AF systems, procuring funds to improve DoD test facilities and persuading the AF to finance testing of AF deterrence systems. He steered the modeling of Nuclear Weapons Effects and methods for systems to survive those effects. He integrated disciplines and efforts to assure that weapons and systems would always function as expected, because “proven survivability is deterrence.”