Page 185 - MY STORY

His focus was on developing and integrating devices, not

in figuring out what a HEL encounter might do to his
devices. He would not even let us borrow any of his
people to support our planning.

The AFRL leaders responsible for the SMATH effort
came to visit our senior management one day (without me

knowing), pointed out that MDAC approach to their
upcoming effort was just what they were looking for, with
just one “small” reservation. “Ben Whiteson, who was

leading the charge was a really good materials guy, but ---
they thought a satellite systems guy leading the effort

would make MDAC even more competitive.”

You guessed it. With no further discussions Dave F, the
department head I had been begging for help, became the

program manager of the SMATH proposal effort with me
as his deputy. I was really pissed and disappointed, but

eventually got over it when I figured winning this effort
was far more important than personal gain.

The good news was that Dave brought some really good
satellite systems people on board the effort, which was
exactly what I had been asking for. He also taught me a

lot about electronics, sensors, and satellite systems. Dave