REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (April 11, 2022) – The U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC) announces the selection of David Elkins as the new technical director and deputy commander.
Elkins brings 33 years of experience in lifecycle test and evaluation (T&E) to the senior civilian position at RTC.
Elkins entered into federal service as a T&E engineer in the U.S. Army Missile Command in 1989. Under a re-organization of the Army test mission, he transitioned to Redstone Technical Test Center under what is today known as the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. Elkins served as a test engineer at the Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Test Division. In 2003, Elkins assumed a role as an experimental developer with specialty in high power amplifiers and electromagnetics.
In 2008, Elkins transitioned to management to serve as the division chief at the E3 and Climatic test divisions, overseeing electromagnetic vulnerability testing of aviation and missile systems, radiographic inspection of explosives, explosive logistics, missile modification and climatic environmental testing.
Since 2015, Elkins has served as the Director of RTC’s Environmental Component Test Directorate overseeing 400 personnel across six divisions with an annual test budget of $45 million.
Significant achievements in the directorate include integration of a large 6DOF dynamic test capability, integration of an Aviation material/failure analysis lab and the addition of a Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Division. The M&S Division won the 2018 and 2020 Army M&S award for T&E for their work conducting cyber testing for SMDC key terrain and CABAIL.
In 2018, Elkins also served in a special strategic assignment for the RTC Tech Director and Commander to establish processes, procedures, and capability that enhances cyber resiliency of aviation and missile weapon systems.
Elkins is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration. He has been married to his wife, Daralyn, for 32 years, and they have three children and two grandchildren.
Outside of work, Elkins serves as a member of the board of directors and athletic director for Providence Classical School, co-leads the newlywed small-group at Rivertree Church.Elkins enjoys hiking/running, golf and coaching youth sports.
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