RESUME
NAME: Peter D. (Pete) McQuade
TELEPHONE and E-MAIL: (719) 522-1239 (Home) PeteMcQA2@aol.com
TITLE:
Engineering Specialist
SECURITY CLEARANCE: Top Secret/SCI (SSBI Periodic Reinvestigation completed May 2008)
EDUCATION:
PhD, 1992, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington, Seattle
M.S., 1982, Aeronautics & Astronautics, MIT
B.S., 1977, Aeronautics & Astronautics, MIT
EXPERIENCE and QUALIFICATIONS: Thirty-one years experience in aeronautical/ astronautical
engineering and operations research.
Areas of expertise include: aircraft and spacecraft design,
automatic control systems, aerodynamics (including experimental, theoretical, and Computational Fluid
Dynamics—CFD), propulsion, thermodynamics, structures, astrodynamics, flight safety, aircraft icing
analysis, operations analysis, modeling and simulation, high-energy laser weapon systems, and ballistic
missile defense. Recent experience in homeland security and counter-terrorism. Nine years experience
in business development and marketing. Nine years experience teaching college-level engineering.
WORK HISTORY:
Sep 1998 – Present
ManTech SRS Technologies, Engineering Specialist
Developed “strawman” test plans and studies of facilities requirements for ground and space testing
of the Space-Based Laser, for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO). Led team to assess
mass-budget issues for the Space-Based Laser. Represented BMDO on IPT for on-orbit servicing of
spacecraft. Participated in NASA HQ-directed feasibility study of “Mars Flyer,” a proposed NASA
project to fly a robotic aircraft on Mars. Performed analyses of aircraft icing for the Joint Air-to-Surface
Standoff Missile (JASSM), for an Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, and for a new airliner.
Analyzed overall system effectiveness of the National Missile Defense (NMD) system, for US Space
Command (USSPACECOM)--derived innovative mathematical model and software, and conducted
effectiveness study. Led study of small-satellite maneuvering capability, for the Defense Advance
Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
For Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), developed new
simulation of Space Radar (SR) communications and target “visibility” and used it to support the
Government’s Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) of SR. Devised optimal sensor-scheduling algorithms to
ensure the Space Radar constellation would provide the best service to the largest number of users.
Arranged for an advanced airborne radar to be vetted in four Army, Navy, and Air Force military
exercises; served in the exercise control centers during two of the exercises. Currently supporting the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by
overseeing hardware-in-the-loop testing of airliner susceptibility to shoulder-fired missiles. Overseeing
the development of a simulation to assess the risk of various types of terrorist attacks on commercial
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aviation and to find the best methods to prevent them.
Developed mathematical methods to estimate
vulnerability of airliners to attack by guns, missiles, and other weapons, to help ensure the safety of the
traveling public.
Over nine years of experience in marketing, business development, and proposal writing—key
contributor to three major contract wins and several smaller awards.
Jun 86 - Sep 89 and Aug 92 - Sep 98
USAF Academy Astronautics Dept
Associate Professor of Astronautics and Deputy Department Head for Labs and Research. Taught
wide variety of courses in Astronautics, Aeronautics, Engineering Design, and Computer Programming.
In charge of three engineering laboratories, all department research projects, and department budget.
Supervised research in hybrid rocket design (solid fuel, liquid oxidizer) and hypersonic air-breathing
propulsion. Chief of USAF Academy’s Navigation, Guidance, and Control Division. Competitively
selected for Summer Research Fellowship at NASA Langley Research Center, VA: served as chief of
Guidance/Control/Trajectory Team for NASA’s X-43 (Hyper-X) hypersonic research aircraft program,
and led design of control system and flight trajectory. Performed wind tunnel testing of NASA’s X-38
Space Station Crew Return Vehicle. Served as Honor Liaison Officer, teaching and enforcing the Air
Force Academy’s code of cadet honor and ethics.
Sep 1989 - Aug 1992
Doctoral Candidate, University of Washington
Developed aerodynamic and propulsion simulation of hypersonic, scramjet-powered aircraft, and
investigated new methods of optimizing the designs of such aircraft.
Jan 1982 - Jun 1986
HQ USAF, Studies and Analyses
Fighter Weapon Systems Analyst
Performed Operations Analysis of tactical weapon systems such as: F-15E; F-16XL; Low Altitude
Navigation and Targeting, Infrared, for Night (LANTIRN) pods for fighter aircraft; Infrared Maverick
missile; and the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF).
Performed formal Air-Staff study of Soviet
battlefield laser weapons: developed computer simulation of engagements between tactical aircraft and
low-power lasers used to blind sensors and pilots. Led development of software to determine minimumattrition flight routing for tactical fighters.
Oct 1977 - Aug 1980
USAF Weapons Laboratory
Aerodynamicist and Structural Vibrations Engineer
Engineer on USAF’s Airborne Laser Lab high-energy laser weapon demonstrator.
Performed
aerodynamic testing and analysis on laser turrets to be mounted on KC-135 aircraft. Led successful
effort to reduce laser beam jitter due to high-pressure coolant flow through mirrors. Helped perform
experiments and analysis to reduce acoustically induced vibrations. Served as advisor to project Sigma,
an early design for a Space-Based Laser, to help them avoid flow-induced mirror vibrations.
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