Expertise
Air Vehicle Subsystems, Airworthiness Certification, Systems Engineering
Profile
Ms. Betty Rodriguez has over 35 years of aerospace flight systems engineering experience on major aircraft systems development programs for the US Air Force (USAF) on multiple weapon system programs spanning development, production, and sustainment. She is a recognized subject matter expert (SME) in all aspects of air vehicle subsystems design, development, certification, and sustainment with specialized expertise in aircraft fuel systems and fire protection systems. She has held engineering leadership positions and made major contributions to a diverse array of USAF programs including: F-16, F-15, B-1B and Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and is the former Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Engineering Directorate (AFLCMC/EN) Flight Systems Engineering Division Chief.
Significant Career Accomplishments
While leading the Flight Systems Engineering Division, advocated for digital modeling effort, supporting the Negatively Pressurized Conex unit to fit inside of a C-17 aircraft, which enabled the safe transport of COVID-19 patients and medical professionals to medical facilities around the globe. Led three major lines of efforts including COVID-19 rapid aircraft disinfection, rapid development and deployment of transport isolation units, and vaccine distribution cargo transport procedures under Operation Warp Speed.
Provided technical guidance to the development and execution of USAF alternative fuel certification in direct support of the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) directive to certify USAF aviation fleet to fly on domestically produced synthetic fuel and acted as the USAF representative to the Alternative Fuels Commercial initiative and authored the first tri-service alternative fuels certification plan.
Chief systems engineer for USAF F-15 development programs. Managed execution of ACAT I, II and III modernization programs, including the Electronic Passive Active Warning & Survivability System (EPAWSS) (ACAT I), two Airborne Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar programs (ACAT II), the Advanced Display Core Processor (ADCP) central mission computer replacement (ACAT II), and Operational Flight Program (OFP) Suites.
Led the implementation of the F-15 airworthiness process in support of development modifications and flight test tape releases. Developed the airworthiness plan for two reportable mods, ADCP II and Talon HATE and ensured concurrence by EN-EZ director and F-15 program manager.
As technical advisor, Air Vehicle Subsystems Branch, participated in several independent review teams (IRTs) and source selections as the air vehicle subsystems and integrity programs subfactors evaluator and provided air vehicle subsystems technical support to the F-35 airworthiness certification process for the USAF variant aircraft.
Former technical lead for F-16 air vehicle subsystems, propulsion integration, structures, flight technology, crew systems, aircraft power, and wiring during engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) (Block 52+), production (Block 40 and 50) and sustainment (all Blocks).
Key Positions
Chief, Flight Systems Engineering Division (AFLCMC/EZF)
Chief Systems Engineer, USAF F-15 Development (AFLCMC/WWQE)
Chief Engineer, Alternative Fuel Certification Division
Technical Advisor, Air Vehicle Subsystems Branch (ASC/ENFA)
Chief Flight Systems Engineer, F-16 Systems Group, ASC/YPVF
Education
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton
BS, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Option, Wright State University
Air War College
