Expertise
Aircraft Structures Design Development, Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP) Execution, Requirements and Verification, Manufacturing Technology, Airworthiness Certification
Profile
Robert Kidd has over 35 years of aerospace engineering experience on major aircraft systems development programs for the US Air Force (USAF). He is a recognized specialist in aircraft structures and is highly experienced with aircraft structures design development; requirements and verification; manufacturing technology; aircraft modifications; structural service life improvements; retrofit repairs; and airworthiness review and certification. Mr. Kidd has extensive experience with MIL-STD-1530, USAF Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP), and ASIP execution on aircraft programs. He has held leadership positions ranging from structures engineer to chief engineer on multiple aircraft programs. NH-4, Department of the Air Force (DAF) (retired).
Significant Career Accomplishments
Served as AFLCMC/EN structures competency manager ensuring that AFLCMC structures engineering organizations could support their mission to maintain aircraft structural integrity and flight safety.
As JSF Air Vehicle integrated product team (IPT), deputy chief engineer, supported F-35 production activity and supported technical assessments and engineering reviews on requirements verification and air vehicle systems functional issues uncovered during program development testing and early flight operations.
Supported airworthiness reviews for F-35 Block 2B fleet, US Marine Corps (USMC) initial operational capability (IOC) in 2015, and USAF IOC in 2016.
As chief engineer for C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), successfully closed out verification of engineering contract requirements and led completion of low rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft modifications and software validation to support dedicated operational test and evaluation (DOT&E); obtained airworthiness authority approval for military flight release (MFR).
Key Positions
Chief, Aircraft Structures Branch, AFLCMC/EZFP
Chief, Flight Systems Engineer, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Chief Engineer, C-130 AMP, AFLCMC/WLN
Deputy Chief Engineer, C-130, AFLCMC/WLN
Lead Structures Engineer, Airframe IT Lead, F-22 SPO (now AFLCMC/WWU)
Chief Flight Systems Engineer, F-16 USAF Modernization and FMS Programs (now AFLCMC/WWM)
Aircraft Structures Engineering Technical Expert, F-16, (now AFLCMC/WWM)
Education
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton
BS, Civil Engineering, University of Dayton
