Army’s Aviation, Missile Center welcomes new senior research scientist

By Amy Tolson, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center Public AffairsAugust 16, 2021

Dr. Jeffery Lusardi
Dr. Jeffery Lusardi (Photo Credit: Dan Pruyn 650.604.3418) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Aug. 16, 2021) – Not all career trajectories are a straight line – and that includes some of the Army’s most senior subject matter experts.

It was a break from college for a few years that helped pave the way to where Dr. Jeffery Lusardi is today. Originally from Hillsboro, Oregon, Lusardi put the brakes on his studies to work in the family business as a machinist and fabricator. Those years turned out to be formative, as he also learned how to fly and repair airplanes and helicopters, earned his private pilot license for both, achieved his Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic certification, and became a certified flight instructor for rotorcraft.

He returned to college in 1996, and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Portland State University. When the University of California, Davis, offered him a thesis project working with the Army to develop a turbulence model for the UH-60 helicopter, it was just the beginning of his journey to become the Army’s senior research scientist for rotorcraft flight dynamics and control. He was appointed to the position of ST effective July 4.

“I am honored to have been selected for this position,” Lusardi said. “When I went back to school more than 20 years ago, I could not have envisioned that the choices I made at that time would result in a career path that would lead to this position. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with other senior scientists and leaders, and to help bring the next generation of vertical lift platforms to the Warfighter.”

As the Army’s chief scientist for rotorcraft flight dynamics and control, Lusardi conducts analytical and experimental research in the areas of rotorcraft flight controls and handling qualities.

“We are extremely proud that Dr. Jeff Lusardi is recognized as the Army’s senior technical expert in rotorcraft flight dynamics and control,” said Christi Dolbeer, acting director for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Technology Development Directorate. “Being appointed as our newest senior research scientist is a prestigious honor added to his impressive career of technical contributions and achievements.”

Prior to his ST appointment, Lusardi served as an aerospace engineer for the DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center Technology Development Directorate’s Vehicle Management and Control Branch, where he made key contributions in developing requirements for the Army's Handling Qualities Requirement document for military rotorcraft in support of Future Vertical Lift. He joined DEVCOM AvMC in 2001.

“Our work has been focused on making sure that the next generation of Army helicopters are safer and easier to fly in all conditions, while allowing the pilot to fully use the capabilities of the platform to successfully accomplish their mission,” Lusardi said. “We have also worked on projects to improve the flight control systems of the enduring fleet to enhance mission effectiveness and safety through reducing pilot workload to improve situational awareness.”

AvMC will host a virtual induction ceremony for Lusardi Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. PDT on Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/DEVCOM.AvMC.

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The DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the Army’s research and development focal point for advanced technology in aviation and missile systems. It is part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command. AvMC is responsible for delivering collaborative and innovative aviation and missile capabilities for responsive and cost-effective research, development and life cycle engineering solutions, as required by the Army’s strategic priorities and support to its Cross-Functional Teams.