Released by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California Public Affairs Office
By Cliff Lawson, Sverdrup

The Navy's highest award for civilian service was presented to Frank Markarian on Friday, September 30, 2005 by Dr. Karen Higgins, Executive Director of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California. A surprised Markarian stood before a standing room-only crowd of friends, family and co-workers in the Michelson Lab Management Center as Dr. Higgins talked about Markarian's remarkable career.

"Frank is most deserving of the high honor given him with this award," Higgins said. "His leadership and efforts have truly laid the foundation for technology in the future and his influence will be felt for many years to come. Frank's strong technical knowledge and tremendous mentoring skills have been a wonderful inspiration for others. He has been an absolute joy to work with. "

Mr. Charles Franklyn “Frank” Markarian is the Navy’s premier individual leader in the assessment and development of advanced technologies for air-launched weapons. During more than four decades of superlative service, he has conceived and directed a host of programs that ensure U.S. Navy weapons are the finest in the world.

Under his leadership many of the Navy’s most successful transformational concepts have been introduced—among them the Navy Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), the Digital Precision Strike Suite (DPSS), advanced mission planning systems, hypersonic weapons technology, advanced targeting systems, ladar sensors, and advanced IR technology.

In a larger sense, Mr. Markarian has shaped the future of naval technology programs by selecting and inspiring individuals for leadership positions in the Navy’s most advanced technology efforts. These individuals have, with his guidance, established strong links with senior Navy leadership and the Fleet, a process that has resulted in identification of new Navy technology needs and the successful Fleet transition of new technology products. Mr. Markarian’s leadership of programs and personnel has resulted in many recently introduced improvements to the Tomahawk, Sidewinder, and SLAM weapon systems, as well as Naval Aviation mission planning upgrades.

During the past 16 years, Mr. Markarian’s leadership of advanced technology has resulted in state-of-the-art systems being put at the service of the Fleet’s warfighters. Examples of his achievements include mission planning and signal processing improvements for the Tomahawk missile system, mission planning systems for Naval strike aircraft, the SLAM warhead, guidance systems for Sidewinder, improved IR sensors, improved radar systems, and new energetic materials. In every case, these products give the warfighter increased capabilities to meet current and future threats.

Mr. Markarian is currently the NAVAIR Weapons Division Site Lead for the Research and Engineering Sciences Department and Director of Research, and is also actively engaged in the Discovery and Invention (D&I), Future Naval Capabilities (FNC), and Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Programs. As the focal point of technological expertise at the Weapons Division, he is continually relied on by Division senior management to provide well-founded solutions to complex technical problems and to provide critical inputs for strategic planning.

DOD offices in the Pentagon, at other commands, and overseas seek Mr. Markarian’s guidance and counsel when they need the highest quality person for a one- or two-year assignment. He selects candidates, interviews them, and chooses the most capable. The value of his expertise has been repeatedly proven by his selectees’ performance in these sensitive and highly important assignments. His expertise is sought by top leaders within the Naval Air Systems Command and the Office of Naval Research, and he has a reputation for providing sound advice that is well considered and clearly articulated.

Mr. Markarian’s vision and understanding of the needs, direction, and potential capabilities of naval technology are universally esteemed. In recognition of his unique skills, the NAVAIR discretionary-funding and internal-investment program for weapons technology was revised to give him sole responsibility for the selection of worthwhile candidate programs. His ability to recognize and conceive innovative concepts serves as a model for the development of the transformational Navy. His dedication to the United States Naval Service for the past 43 years also serves as a role model for government employees across the country.

Following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, Mr. Markarian established a new program investigating innovative technologies to assist in the war on terrorism. Using his extensive network of contacts throughout the military and civilian science-and-technology community, he brought people together to address specific challenges and develop and implement technological solutions, several of which are now in place.

Mr. Markarian’s leadership of NAVAIR’s weapons technology development programs has resulted in many new products being delivered and implemented into Navy weapon systems. This successful record is due to Mr. Markarian’s ability to lead teams in the identification of innovative concepts, to provide leadership to those performing laboratory work, to establish relationships with the appropriate program offices, to satisfy sponsor requirements, and finally to ensure that maturing technology is transitioned to acquisition programs. His unparalleled enthusiasm, knowledge of the Navy’s technology-development and acquisition system, and respect from all who know him are responsible for his ability to personally accomplish the tasks normally associated with at least three people (concept inception, technology development, and technology transition).

Mr. Markarian’s contributions to the Navy go well beyond the technology developments already discussed. He is also a key person in the leadership of the NAVAIR Weapons Division, a position earned through decades of demonstrated leadership. He played a principal role in the recent major NAVAIR restructuring and was key to the establishment of the new Research and Engineering Sciences Department.

He is recognized by senior NAVAIR leadership as a person who will take on any task, perform it well, and produce a high quality product—without exception. He is also seen by junior personnel across NAVAIR as a teacher, mentor, and role model. He works tirelessly to ensure that the people within his organization—currently more than 160 of NAVAIR’s top scientists and engineers—are well recognized and strongly supported. Mr. Markarian spends much his time mentoring young scientists and engineers, and this investment has produced some of the Command’s most productive and innovative people.

Frank Markarian is singularly deserving of this award based on his countless accomplishments during a remarkable 43 years of service to the Department of the Navy. He is an outstanding American who has substantially improved the warfighting capability of the Navy and Marine Corps, and his lasting influence on generations of young Navy scientists and engineers will benefit the country for decades to come.

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PHOTO CUTLINE: NAWCWD Executive Director Dr. Karen Higgins (Left) presents Frank Markarian with the Department of Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award.