CNA Field Representative Dr. Jay Smith Receives NDIA 2008 Navy Tester Of The Year Award

Alexandria, Va. — CNA Field Representative Dr. Jay Smith has received the National Defense Industrial Association's (NDIA) 2008 Navy Tester of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in test and evaluation by members of the military, civilians, and contractors.

Smith earned the honor for his work as the Lead System Analyst in planning and executing the initial operational test and evaluation of the EA-18G aircraft, and for the follow-up evaluation of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar System.

The AESA Radar System, a coherent multimode radar that employs a fixed antenna array, is the first radar of its kind to be installed in a Navy tactical aircraft. The EA-18G is the fourth major variant of the FA-18 aircraft and will serve as the Navy’s replacement for the EA-6B.

"Jay's work truly merits this award," said Igor Mikolic-Torreira, Vice President and Director of CNA Operations Evaluation Group. "His performance was exemplified by outstanding achievement, expert technical insight, and innovative testing and analysis techniques on two very complex, technically challenging programs. And what makes this award particularly noteworthy is the fact that its recipients are selected by their peers, so it's an exceptional honor."

Smith was nominated for the award by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9). The nomination letter reads: Throughout 2008, [Smith’s] technical expertise during the testing of these two programs brought a high degree of credibility to the test and evaluation effort which helped secure promising future capability for the Navy’s warfighters. His resolute focus on excellence, innovation, and thoroughness throughout the data collection and analysis process were key to defining and quantifying the strengths and weaknesses of both systems, and making future improvement recommendations to enhance their combat effectiveness.

Smith, a native of Minnesota, joined CNA in September 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris (B.S. in both Chemistry and Mathematics) and earned his doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Purdue University.

CNA Operations Evaluation Group conducts field-based research programs focused on a host of operational challenges facing military decision-makers. The group has about four dozen analysts assigned to military commands around the world. These analysts provide on-scene, real-time analytic support to military decision makers.