Robert C. Duncan (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Robert C. Duncan was an American engineer
and engineering manager, particularly for the US Government. He is best known for two of the programs he directed to a successful completion - guidance and control for Apollo program, and the Polaroid SX-70
camera.
degrees from the United States Naval Academy
(1945) and the Naval Post Graduate School (1953), and MS
and PhD
degrees in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(1951).
He served in the United States Navy
from 1946 to 1965. He was trained as a pilot, and flew both fighters
and heavy attack bomber
s. On the completion of his flight duties in 1960, he had attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander
. He served in the Pentagon
from 1960 to 1964, first as chief of space programs for the Chief of Naval Operations
, and next as staff assistant director for research and engineering.
When he retired from the Navy in 1965, he had been assigned to NASA
in Houston, Texas, at the Manned Spacecraft Center (now the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
). During his three years there he was chief of the Guidance and Control Division. After that, he spent a year back in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as assistant director of the Electronics Research Center.
He then left the government in 1968, to become a vice president of the
Polaroid Corporation
, spending the next spent seven years there. He first served as program manager of the SX-70 camera, with responsibilities for its design, engineering, and production; in 1975, he was elected vice president of engineering.
He returned to government employment from 1985 to 1993. His first position was as Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; a year later, was confirmed in a dual capacity, becoming simultaneously Director of Defense Research and Engineering
. His final role in the Pentagon was a four-year tour as Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, where he was principal advisor to both the Secretary of Defense
and the Under-Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions.
He retired from the government in 1993, and became a vice president at Hicks and Associates (a national security consultanting firm).
.
His awards include the Legion of Merit (1964), the NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1968), and the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award (1987 and 1989).
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and engineering manager, particularly for the US Government. He is best known for two of the programs he directed to a successful completion - guidance and control for Apollo program, and the Polaroid SX-70
Polaroid SX-70
The SX-70 is a folding single lens reflex Land Camera which was produced by the Polaroid Corporation from 1972-1981.- History :Though Polaroid had considered a Henry Dreyfus-designed SLR for its Colorpack film, the SX-70 was the first instant SLR and the first camera to use Polaroid's new SX-70...
camera.
Biography
He received BSBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degrees from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
(1945) and the Naval Post Graduate School (1953), and MS
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
and PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degrees in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(1951).
He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1946 to 1965. He was trained as a pilot, and flew both fighters
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
and heavy attack bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
s. On the completion of his flight duties in 1960, he had attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
. He served in the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
from 1960 to 1964, first as chief of space programs for the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, and next as staff assistant director for research and engineering.
When he retired from the Navy in 1965, he had been assigned to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
in Houston, Texas, at the Manned Spacecraft Center (now the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human spaceflight training, research and flight control. The center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas, USA...
). During his three years there he was chief of the Guidance and Control Division. After that, he spent a year back in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as assistant director of the Electronics Research Center.
He then left the government in 1968, to become a vice president of the
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is an American-based international consumer electronics and eyewear company, originally founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land. It is most famous for its instant film cameras, which reached the market in 1948, and continued to be the company's flagship product line until the February...
, spending the next spent seven years there. He first served as program manager of the SX-70 camera, with responsibilities for its design, engineering, and production; in 1975, he was elected vice president of engineering.
He returned to government employment from 1985 to 1993. His first position was as Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; a year later, was confirmed in a dual capacity, becoming simultaneously Director of Defense Research and Engineering
Director of Defense Research and Engineering
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering ASD is a senior official of the United States Department of Defense. The ASD and the office s/he heads are charged with the development and oversight of DoD technology strategy for the DoD. The ASD reports to the Under Secretary of...
. His final role in the Pentagon was a four-year tour as Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, where he was principal advisor to both the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
and the Under-Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions.
He retired from the government in 1993, and became a vice president at Hicks and Associates (a national security consultanting firm).
Memberships and Awards
He was a member of the National Academy of EngineeringNational Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
.
His awards include the Legion of Merit (1964), the NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1968), and the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award (1987 and 1989).
External links
- Memorial biography at the National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
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