Paul G. Kaminski

Military and government career Kaminski served 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, mostly within Air Force Systems Command, rising to the rank of colonel. Among other Air Force assignments, Kaminski was responsible for the testing and evaluation of inertial guidance components for the LGM-30 Minuteman missile and terminal guidance systems for the first U.S. precision-guided munitions.

In 1971, Kaminski was assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office, based out of Los Angeles AFB.

From 1976 to 1977, Kaminski was a student at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. During this time, he met then-Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering William J. Perry, becoming Perry's Special Assistant in 1977. One of his assignments during this time was to assess early work on stealth technology. Kaminski recommended going ahead with the creation of a large program that included the experimental Have Blue airplane, which was later developed into the F-117A Nighthawk.

When Perry left the government in 1981, Kaminski became Director for Low Observables Technology, with responsibility for overseeing the development, production and fielding of major stealth aircraft systems such as the F-117A, which was already well underway at the time, the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit which was in its developmental stage, the AGM-129 ACM cruise missile and several other classified programs.

Later career Paul G. Kaminski receiving the 2006 National Medal of Technology from President George W. Bush In his first period away from government work (1984–1994), Kaminski joined Perry in Technology Strategies and Alliances, an investment banking and technology strategy business, of which Kaminski eventually became chairman and chief executive officer.

In 1994, Kaminski was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for leadership and technical contributions to stealth technology and military systems. He is also a Fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics.

Kaminski has authored publications dealing with inertial and terminal guidance system performance, simulation techniques, Kalman filtering and numerical techniques applied to estimation problems. Air & Space Forces Association Lifetime Achievement Award ("In recognition of a lifetime of work advancing aerospace power, AFA awarded Dr. Paul Kaminski with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference. The award was jointly presented by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Dean of AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies; and Rachel Zimmerman, Director of CyberPatriot.”) National Aviation Hall of Fame (class of 2020) ("Led many technical aerospace programs, including guided munitions; lead developer of Stealth Technology; and directed F-117 and B-2 Programs”)

of Fame

Honorary Fellow of AIAA (2014) ("For leadership and vision in developing and applying advanced technology to enhance our National Security and National Intelligence capabilities”) Honorary Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) (2021) ("for leading the development of advanced low-observable systems and system-of-systems, including the F-117, the first operational stealth attack aircraft and the tools, training and weapons to effectively employ the systems") Ronald Reagan Award, US Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency (2011) William J Perry Award ("in recognition of superb contributions to precision strike systems") (2015) IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, (2015) ("For leading the development of advanced low-observable systems and system-of-systems, including the F-117, the first operational stealth attack aircraft and the tools, training and weapons to effectively employ the systems") Member of the National Academy of Engineering (1994) ("For leadership and technical contributions to stealth technology and military systems") AIAA Reed Aeronautics award (2013) ("For leadership and vision in developing and applying advanced technology to enhance our National Security and National Intelligence capabilities") Fellow of IEEE (1998) (For pioneering contributions to Stealth/Counter-stealth technology and its application which fundamentally changed the nature of warfare and revolutionized design priorities of both offensive and defensive weapons systems and sensors.) SPIE, Lifetime Achievement Award (2012) National Reconnaissance Office, Pioneer of National Reconnaissance Award (2007) Pioneers of Stealth Award (1996). Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service (5 Awards) (1995, 1996, 1997, 2014, 2015) Department of Defense, Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1984) Fellow of AIAA (1999) USAF Academy, Distinguished Graduate class of 1964; Distinguished Graduate Award in 2002, after completing his Air Force and DOD careers Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Distinguished Graduate 1977, Eisenhower Award 2008 Director of Central Intelligence Director's Award (2007) International Strategic Studies Association, Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Strategic Progress through Science and Technology (1998) Defense Intelligence Agency Director's Award (1997) Stanford University, Distinguished Graduate PhD class of 1971 USAF Systems Command, Scientific Achievement Award (1968) Potomac Institute Navigator's Award, Leadership in Acquisition & Technology – Executive Branch (2000) Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster