Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and contractor employees were given MDA awards for their performance in helping develop the Airborne Laser missile defense system.

ABL is being created by The Boeing Co. [BA], the prime contractor contributing the heavily modified 747-400F jumbo jet; Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC], producing the laser, and Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] providing the beam control-fire control system.

Honors went to:

• Jeff Hartlove, ABL deputy program manager for Northrop
• Steve Lamberson, chief scientist, MDA ABL program office
• Don Clapp, Boeing ABL chief engineer and mission assurance manager
• David Morris, Boeing ABL chief scientist and system performance manager
• Harold Schall, Boeing ABL chief engineer for integration and test, and senior technical fellow
• Paul Shattuck, Lockheed ABL beam control/fire control and technical director

The awards were presented during the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 7th Annual U.S. Missile Defense Conference.

The Technology Pioneer Award recognizes individuals or small groups who have made outstanding contributions to missile defense science and technology, engineering and program management that have significantly advanced U.S. missile defense capabilities. In 2008, the award was presented (posthumously) to Joseph Miller of Northrop

Grumman, also for his work on the COIL.