Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has named David M. Koopersmith vice president and program manager of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) X-45 Program.

Koopersmith assumes responsibility for the company's highly successful X-45 program at a crucial time. With 50 X-45A flights completed so far, Boeing will transition from the advanced technology phase and introduce the more capable X-45C system.

"Dave Koopersmith will lead the J-UCAS X-45 program as it matures from basic demonstration systems to robust operational assessment demonstrations," said Darryl Davis, Global Strike Solutions vice president. "The X-45C is critical to the warfighter because it provides a highly affordable, survivable system that can identify, strike, and destroy enemy threats without any risk to American pilots."

The X-45C will be 39 feet long with a 49-foot wingspan, cruise at 0.80 Mach at an altitude of 40,000 feet, carry a 4,500 pound weapon payload, and fly a combat radius of more than 1,200 nautical miles. The first X-45C will be completed in 2006 and flown in a U.S. government operational assessment beginning in 2007.

Prior to this assignment, Koopersmith led the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program, a $4 billion program. He has more than 25 years of program management, engineering, business development and production experience on numerous military aircraft programs like the AV-8B Harrier II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. During his F/A-18E/F assignment, he received the Excellence in Acquisition Award by the United States Navy Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft.

Koopersmith holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and International Council on Systems Engineering.