Joseph Dunn, the former head of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Systems Test Integrated Product Team, was honored April 19 with the Association of Naval Aviation (ANA) Edward H. Heinemann Award for 2001 during the association’s annual convention in Virginia Beach, Va.
“I was very honored to be chosen for this most prestigious award,” said Dunn, who ended his 36-year career at Patuxent River last October. He now works as an independent technical consultant supporting various Defense Department programs.
ANA presents the Heinemann award annually to an individual or team in NAVAIR who has significantly contributed to the improvement of the design or performance of an aircraft or related weapon system. Heinemann was an aircraft designer who was responsible for the design and development of more than 20 military aircraft including the A-20, A-1, F4D and the A-4. The JSF Program Office nominated Dunn for the award based on his accomplishments as the test team leader for the program for the past seven years.
“His unique background and experience gained from 36 years working with TACAIR aircraft acquisition programs has provided the JSF Program with invaluable knowledge that has helped to shape the successful JSF Program of today,” reads his nomination letter.
As the lead for the Systems Test team, Dunn made exceptional contributions to the JSF program and the Department of Defense. He was instrumental in early trade studies that evaluated single engine concepts versus twin-engine concepts, as well as one-seat designs versus two-seat designs. Through his outstanding leadership during the JSF Concept Demonstration Phase, Dunn developed and executed the overarching strategy which successfully flight tested four revolutionary "X" aircraft, resulting in 283 flights and more than 200 incident-free flight hours.
“It was very rewarding to work with such a professional team of engineers on this team,” Dunn said. “I am especially proud to have contributed to the safe execution of the JSF Program.”
Dunn was directly responsible for reconciling the JSF test and evaluation requirements with the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and the United Kingdom Royal Air Force and Royal Navy acquisition communities. Dunn pioneered the innovative concept of a truly joint test force, a fully integrated United States-United Kingdom team of government and industry test pilots and engineers from each of the two competing JSF contractors. He effectively led a 200-member multidisciplinary government/industry joint test force team in the conduct of all JSF flight test operations.
Dunn also served as the flight clearance release authority from April to August 2001 for the short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft and was directly responsible for the safe and efficient completion of their flight test objectives. Dunn's leadership was also crucial to the formulation of the overall system test philosophy for system development and demonstration, ensuring JSF meets DOD affordability, lethality, supportability, and survivability goals.
Dunn developed, implemented and managed critical integrated processes for the JSF flight test effort including the X-aircraft Airworthiness/Flight Clearance Pre-Mishap Plan, and the Joint Test Force Guide. As the lead for the Technical Subfactor Team for Source Selection, Dunn oversaw the work of more than 50 technical personnel in conducting the technical evaluation to down-select competing contractors for the JSF Concept Development and System Development and Demonstration phases, the largest source selection in the history of DOD.
“Mr. Dunn's efforts have led to an unprecedented achievement in joint service systems test planning and execution,” reads the ANA citation. “His outstanding contributions are a credit to himself, the United States Navy, and to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.”
As the JSF project coordinator for NAVAIR’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, he also represented the JSF program on hundreds of distinguished visitor events and enhanced program advocacy within DOD and with dignitaries from international Ministries of Defense.
“The JSF Program was the most rewarding and exciting program that I worked on during my 36 years at Patuxent River,” Dunn said. “This was due in large part to the professionalism and dedication of all of my government and contractor JSF teammates. What a grand way to finish my career.”

PHOTO CAPTION
Joseph Dunn, center, the former head of the Joint Strike Fighter Systems Test Integrated Product Team, receives the Association of Naval Aviation Edward H. Heinemann Award for 2001 during the association’s annual convention in Virginia Beach, Va. on April 19. Joining Dunn is Vice Adm. Joe Dyer, NAVAIR commander, and retired Adm. Stan Arthur, representing ANA.