Ed Heinemann

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Edward Henry Heinemann

(b. 14 March 1908, d. 26 November 1991)

Acclaimed military aircraft designer for Douglas Aircraft.

1 Biography
2 Designs
3 Awards and medals
4 External links
5 Sources

[edit] Biography

Heinemann was born in Saginaw, Michigan, but moved to California as a boy and was raised in Los Angeles. A self-taught engineer, he joined Douglas Aircraft as a draftsman in 1926, but was laid off within a year. After stints at International Aircraft, Moreland Aircraft, and Northrop, Heinemann re-joined Douglas when it acquired Northrop. Heinemann became Douglas's Chief Engineer in 1936. He remained with the company through 1960, when he left to join Guidance Technology. In 1962 he joined General Dynamics as Corporate Vice President of Engineering. In this position he oversaw the development of the F-16. He retired in 1973.

His approach to aircraft design was often simple, once saying that he just took the most powerful engine available, and designed the aircraft around that.

[edit] Designs

During his long career at Douglas, Heinemann designed more than 20 combat aircraft for the US Navy, including many that became legends in their field. His designs included:

SBD Dauntless dive bomber
A-20 Havoc attack aircraft
A-26 Invader attack aircraft
A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft
A-3 Skywarrior bomber
A-4 Skyhawk light bomber
F3D Skyknight night fighter
F4D Skyray carrier-based fighter aircraft
Douglas Skyrocket and Douglas Skystreak research aircraft

[edit] Awards and medals

1953: Collier Trophy (for the F4D Skyray)
1978: Guggenheim Medal
1981: National Aviation Hall of Fame
1983: National Medal of Science

The Naval Air Systems Command awards the "Edward H. Heinemann Award" annually to the individual or group that makes a significant contribution to aircraft design.