Thomas P. Christie
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. Christie was a career defense analyst working for the U.S. government.
Christie graduated from Spring Hill College with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and from New York University with a master's degree in Applied Mathematics.
In the 1960s he worked for the Air Force
at Eglin AFB as an analyst in the Ballistics Division at the Air Proving Ground Center. He later moved to other positions at Eglin AFB, before moving to the Pentagon
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He worked in the Pentagon for more than three decades beginning in the early 1970s. Before his retirement, he served as the director of Operational Test and Evaluation from 2001 to 2005.
Christie is often associated with John Boyd
and other associates of Mr. Boyd who were critical of U.S. defense policies. While working with John Boyd at Eglin AFB, Mr. Christie was deeply involved with the development of the Energy-Manueverability theory of aerial combat. The work on this theory was not officially sanctioned and Christie and Boyd resorted to "stealing" computer time to compare the performance of U.S. and Soviet military aircraft which resulted in the publication of a two volume report in 1964. Despite the manner in which the Energy-Manueverability theory was developed, it was accepted by the U.S. military and influenced the design of the successful F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighters. Application of the Energy-Manueverability theory radically altered U.S. fighter doctrine and has resulted in nearly four decades of dominance for U.S. airpower.
Christie graduated from Spring Hill College with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and from New York University with a master's degree in Applied Mathematics.
In the 1960s he worked for the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
at Eglin AFB as an analyst in the Ballistics Division at the Air Proving Ground Center. He later moved to other positions at Eglin AFB, before moving to 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...
.
He worked in the Pentagon for more than three decades beginning in the early 1970s. Before his retirement, he served as the director of Operational Test and Evaluation from 2001 to 2005.
Christie is often associated with John Boyd
John Boyd (military strategist)
Colonel John Boyd was a United States Air Force fighter pilot and Pentagon consultant of the late 20th century, whose theories have been highly influential in the military, sports, and business.-Biography:...
and other associates of Mr. Boyd who were critical of U.S. defense policies. While working with John Boyd at Eglin AFB, Mr. Christie was deeply involved with the development of the Energy-Manueverability theory of aerial combat. The work on this theory was not officially sanctioned and Christie and Boyd resorted to "stealing" computer time to compare the performance of U.S. and Soviet military aircraft which resulted in the publication of a two volume report in 1964. Despite the manner in which the Energy-Manueverability theory was developed, it was accepted by the U.S. military and influenced the design of the successful F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighters. Application of the Energy-Manueverability theory radically altered U.S. fighter doctrine and has resulted in nearly four decades of dominance for U.S. airpower.