Congratulations to all of the outstanding winners of the 2023 AOC Kittyhawk Chapter Professional Awards

KAOC Research and Technology Development Award (individual):

Winner: Mr. David Maciupa

Nominated by: Mr. Philippe Duvelle

For exceptional and exemplary commitment to the advancement of state-of-the-art Electronic Warfare (EW) assessment technologies, while assigned to the Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory (IDAL), within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Spectrum Warfare Systems Engineering Branch (RYWD). David “Dave” Maciupa contributed extensively towards AF Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) superiority, taking on many roles over the past year alone. From component to sub-system and system level technology solutions, as well as various aspects of program management and IDAL assessment management, Dave demonstrated both adaptability and technology research and development leadership.

KAOC Program Management Award:

Winner: Ms. Essen Laubie

Nominated by: Mr. Todd Kastle

To Dr. Ellen Laubie for her tireless pursuit of advanced electronic warfare techniques and foundational EW research on the Fundamental Electronic Attack Research (FEAR) program.

KAOC Outstanding Supervisor Award:

Winner: Mr. Rex Mykrantz

Nominated by: Mr. Joe Koesters

Mr. Rex Mykrantz distinguished himself as supervisor of the Navigation and Communication Branch, Spectrum Warfare Division, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. Mr. Mykrantz expertly led multiple teams delivering three different prototypes to operational forces in response to urgent needs. He also leveraged partnerships with Air Force program offices to enhance personnel skills and create a transition pipeline to move technology from the lab to the warfighter. Lastly, Mr. Mykrantz skillfully managed his branch through significant personnel turnover conducting numerous hiring actions and prioritizing work to successfully address mission needs.

KAOC Young Professional Award:

Winner: Mr. Varun Srikanth

Nominated by: Mr. Todd Kastle

For the development of Timing Reference, Abstraction, and Integration Layer for Simulation (TRAILS) which enable high fidelity models to be injected into campaign level simulations with correct timing. This enables the DOD decision maker to have the real-world accuracy in higher level simulations.

KAOC Team/IPT Award:

Winner: TTCP EWS Group: Cognitive EW‚ Counter-IADS Team

Team Members: Dr. Vasu Chakravarthy, Mr. Chris Ebersole, Mr. Thomas Woodward,
Mr. Clifton Bullmaster, and Mr. Wes Earick

Nominated by: Mr. Seng Hong

AFRL Cognitive EW Counter-Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) Team has been working with 5-Eyes TTCP partner nations to demonstrate an integrated EW system providing useful situational awareness information to operators when confronted with unknown modes or radars, effectively jam such radars, and perform real-time EA battle damage assessment.

KAOC Chapter Service Award:

Winner: Mark Wunderlich

For his dedicated service contributing to the success of Kittyhawk Week. Mark served on the Conference Steering committee for several years organizing and chairing EO/IR Sessions and Tutorials. Mark also provided invaluable logistical support to enable the C classified Kittyhawk Week Sessions.