Expertise
Systems Engineering, Sustainment Engineering, Airworthiness Certification, Test Lead, Government Flight Representative (GFR), Air Force/Navy Pilot
Profile
Laurence “Goose” Gressett has over 30 years of experience in engineering, product support, depot production, research, development, and as a reserve pilot in the armed services. His professional engineering experience includes managing research and development technologies on several weapons programs. He oversaw multiple Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) kinetic and non-kinetic weapon programs for munition system effects and served as the Engineering Technical Director and Director of Engineering at Eglin and Robins. Laurence is a former Government Flight Representative (GFR) and Test Lead for AFRL where he provided military flight releases (MFRs), as well as airworthiness and technical guidance for multiple aircraft and weapons systems.
Significant Career Accomplishments
Completed GFR inspections for Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY) on Long Endurance Aircraft Platform (LEAP) and Ultra LEAP at Dugway Proving Ground, UT.
Performed GFR duties on BETA aircraft Alia at Duke Field, FL. Worked airworthiness as test lead for several AFRL/RW Class I, II, and III unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) programs.
Managed air superiority efforts with Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and all of the AFRL Directorates including Munitions, Sensors, Aerospace Systems, Directed Energy, Information, Material/Manufacturing, Human Performance, SDPE, AFWERX, and Space Vehicles.
AFRL subject matter expert (SME) for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF) who chartered the AS 2030 Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team (ECCT) that developed a flight plan capability to enable air superiority in the highly contested environment of 2030 and beyond.
Owned operational safety, suitability, and effectiveness (OSS&E) and airworthiness for over 400 QF-16, QF-4 and BQM-167 aircraft.
Responsible for providing expert systems engineering technical direction and guidance for Center engineering activities in support of Air Armament Center (AAC) assigned weapon systems including AMRAAM, High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), Small Diameter Bomb (SDB II), PLMK82 (BLU-129), Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF), and Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).
Key Positions
GFR & Test Lead, AFRL/RW
Deputy, Air Superiority, AFRL
Director of Engineering, Armament Directorate, Test & Training Division (AFLCMC/EBY)
Technical Director, AAC/EN
Systems Division Chief, Engineering Policy and Technology Insertion Branch (ENS)
Director of Engineering, 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing (CSW)
Education
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University
BS, Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University
Air War College
Air University
Enterprise Leadership Seminar, University of Virginia, Dryden School of Business
