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    HomeAbout UsBiographiesDisplay      061122-F-JZ505-508.JPGEngage OnFacebook PostsYour browser is incompatible with this widget.
                        
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        061122-F-JZ505-508.JPGDR. WILLIAM L. BAKERDr. William L. Baker, a member of the scientific and professional cadre of senior executives, is Chief Scientist, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. With an annual budget of more than $300 million, the directorate is responsible for all of the Air Force research and development of lasers, high-power microwave and advanced optical technologies. The directorate conducts advanced technology research to support major applications such as airborne lasers, large optical systems for space situational awareness, airborne high-power microwaves, long-range non-lethal weapons and improvised explosive device defeat. The Chief Scientist is the directorate's primary adviser on scientific and technical matters and the primary authority for the technical content and quality of the science and technology portfolio.
Dr. Baker was born in Columbus, Ohio. He received his doctorate in nuclear physics from The Ohio State University in 1969 and served four years on active duty in the Air Force as a nuclear research officer. In 1973 he became a civilian scientist at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory where he performed and led high-energy plasma and pulse power research to develop new techniques to simulate nuclear weapon effects. His work in directed energy weapon technology began with high-energy particle beam weapons. Dr. Baker led a joint effort to develop a unique accelerator and used it to demonstrate stable beam propagation in open air. He then created and led the Air Force high-power microwave weapon technology program. As Chief Scientist, he led research and development on high-energy laser weapons technology and the application of advanced optics to space situational awareness. He is a nationally recognized contributor and leader across the entire spectrum of directed energy technologies. He has been president of the Directed Energy Professional Society for the past two years.
Dr. Baker has written more than 50 publications in nuclear physics, plasma physics, pulsed power and directed energy.**EDUCATION**
1965 Bachelor of Science degree in physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus
1967 Master of Science degree in physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus
1969 Doctor of Philosophy in nuclear physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus**CAREER CHRONOLOGY**
1. 1969 - 1973, nuclear research officer, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2. 1973 - 1977, scientific adviser, X-ray Simulation Branch, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
3. 1977 - 1984, Chief, Advanced Technology Management Office, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
4. 1984 - 1985, Chief, Simulators and Advanced Concepts Branch, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
5. 1985 - 1989, Chief, Advanced Technology Division, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
6. 1989 - 1991, Chief, High-Power Microwave Program Office, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
7. 1991 - 1994, Technical Director for High-Power Microwaves, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
8. 1994 - 1994, acting Director, Advanced Weapons and Survivability Directorate, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
9. 1994 - 1995, Technical Director, Advanced Weapons and Survivability Directorate, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
10. 1995 - 1996, Air Force Senior Scientist for High-Power Microwaves, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
11. 1996 - 1997, Chief Scientist, Advanced Weapons and Survivability Directorate, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
12. 1997 - 2000, Senior Scientist for High-Power Microwaves, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
13. 2000 - present, Chief Scientist, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.**AWARDS AND HONORS**
1965 Phi Beta Kappa
1977 Science and Technology Award, Air Force Systems Command
1986 Commander's Award for Excellence, Air Force Weapons Laboratory
1988 Technical Manager of the Year, Air Force Weapons Laboratory
1997 Peter Haas Pulsed Power Award, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
1997 Directed Energy Award, Association of Old Crows
1998 Exemplary Civilian Service Award, U.S. Air Force
1999 Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
1999 Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Department of Defense
2003 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award
2006 Distinguished Senior Professional Presidential Rank Award**PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS**
American Physical Society
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Board member, Directed Energy Professional Society
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(Current as of December 2009)
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