In a budget environment where it is hard to find money for experimental aircraft, the 2013 Laureate for Aeronautics and Propulsion goes to a program that used a modest but sustained investment in ground demonstrations to mature technology, culminating in wind-tunnel tests of a model larger and more complex than many X-planes.

Brian K. Reid (see photo) has joined Grand Prairie, Texas-based American Eurocopter as director of support and service sales. He has held business development, sales, marketing and management positions with a helicopter manufacturer and aviation aftermarket companies.

Keith Littlefield (see photo) has been named chief technology officer at Chantilly, Va.-based TASC. He was chief information officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

John Selvaggio has been named president and CEO of the new Carlsbad, Calif.-based California Pacific Airlines, succeeding founder and chairman Ted L. Vallas. Selvaggio was the founder, president and CEO of Delta Air Lines subsidiary Song Airlines and president and CEO of Comair.

As airlines wait, Boeing readies test data for FAA

USAF Maj. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan has been assigned as commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He has been deputy director for global operations of the Joint Staff, Pentagon. Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein has been named vice commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La. He has been director of air, space and cyberspace operations at Air Force Space Command Headquarters, Peterson AFB, Colo. Brig. Gen. Theresa C.

Most of the news about what will happen to aerospace and defense (A&D) spending as a result of congressional dallying on resolving its own pre-programmed cuts—sequestration—concerns lost jobs and program slowdowns. But sequestration also is likely to hit the way defense contractors fund independent research and development (IR&D), according to a study by the Fairmont Consulting Group.

Avionics makers ready surface guidance aids