Eichhorn, David

2010 Distinguished Alumni Award

For significant contribution to engineering education and technology leader in CAD system for multi-chip module products.

Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn is the commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California. His area of responsibility includes the development, test, and evaluation of manned and unmanned aircraft systems in both experimental and proven aerospace vehicles. He supports the conduct of test and evaluation programs for the Department of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

David entered the Air Force as a distinguished graduate through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1976. In earlier assignments he served as an experimental test pilot, and his commands included two flight test squadrons, a test group, a test wing, and the Arnold Engineering Development Center overseeing developmental flight tests on a wide variety of weapon systems. A certified acquisition professional, he served at the Electronic Systems Center as the vice commander, where he was previously assigned as director of advanced command, control and communications systems as well as director of advanced aircraft systems. He has also served as director of the Aeronautical Enterprise Program Office, deputy director of plans and programs at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, and deputy program executive officer for aircraft at Aeronautical Systems Center. Prior to his current assignment, David was the director of air, space and information operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command.

David has flown the B-52D/H, B-1B, F-111 and T-38, serving as an instructor pilot and aircraft commander. He has accumulated more than 5,700 hours in more than 40 aircraft types.