On January 2, 2026, the National Academy of Engineering announced a celebration of 250 years of engineering as part of the U.S. semi-quincentennial.
The NAE also highlighted aerospace engineering by releasing a video on innovations in the field. The video highlights the impact of aerospace engineering on transportation and exploration.
American engineers pioneered modern aviation through powered flight and helicopter design, enabled space exploration with rockets, human spaceflight, and planetary rovers, and advanced satellite technology for communication, navigation, and GPS.
In 2016, when BEYA marked its 30th anniversary, the top award winner was Christopher T. Jones, Ph.D, who has directly contributed to advancing aerospace technology and to the defense and security of the United States and its allies.
The National Air and Space Museum Wall of Honor lists Dr. Jones's accomplishments in academia, industry, and government service.
According to the citation, Dr. Jones directed and oversaw engineering, technology development, and integration into aircraft, avionics, and other aerospace systems for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and those of allied nations. His organization supported more than 60 major subsystems and different types and models of aircraft, including bombers, fighters, unmanned aircraft, helicopters, electronic aircraft, cargo and refueling aircraft, and commercial-derivative aircraft.
In the past, Dr. Jones was instrumental in the airborne early warning and battle management command and control, where he was responsible for all U.S. E-2 Hawkeye support and international E-2 Hawkeye programs. He provided technical leadership during the aircraft design, development, production, and fielding, and was a key member of the technology insertion and integration teams.
Before joining Northrop Grumman, Dr. Jones worked at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, where he led analysis, flight tests, and research on innovative rotorcraft technologies. He was Sikorsky's technology lead on the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program and served as chief systems engineer for the Naval Hawk program.
In December 2025, Lockheed Martin announced that it was marking 20 years of the F-22 Raptor. According to Lockheed, the aircraft ensures the United States Air Force remains dominant in every mission.
In the post shared on social media, Lockheed also said that behind every flight and every innovation are skilled Americans who operate, maintain, and advance every aspect of the aircraft. Further, Lockheed said that, thanks to their expertise and dedication, the Raptor continues to evolve, thanks to the 25,000 specialists in aircraft design and stealth technology. The products they work on play an essential role in the national security of the United States and of more than 70 other countries worldwide.
One of those skilled Americans is Tamara Crawford, who was honored as a Special Recognition Honoree at the 2016 BEYA STEM Conference.
Tamara is currently a hardware manager within the Integrated Fighter Group and Systems Integration Laboratories, where engineers test aircraft hardware/software in simulated environments, crucial for F-16/F-22 programs. It's about testing and verifying aircraft components, systems, and software for performance before flight, often involving agile processes for rapid development.
Tamara was the lead systems engineer on the F-22 Raptor, the world's only fifth-generation fighter.
When she received a Special Recognition Award at the Deans Breakfast during the BEYA STEM Conference, she was responsible for the product performance of the C-130, C-5, P-3, F-16, F-22, and Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter programs.
Tamara was also responsible for overseeing the dismantling of the F-22 production line and preserving its production components for future use. With no standard model, hers will be the blueprint used going forward.
“As a 13-year-old girl from a small Mississippi town in eighth grade, I decided to become an engineer," Tamara said in her acceptance speech at the 2016 BEYA STEM Conference HBCU Engineering Deans event. "In my junior year in college, I read the book that discusses Lockheed Martin's development of stealth technology. And I declared, 'I'm moving to Texas to work for Lockheed Martin!'"
Fresh out of college with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, she headed to Texas in 2002.
“I set out with no job interview or connections, and with only $292 in my pocket. Fast forward thirteen years. Service is inextricably woven into the tapestry of my life. My joy is inspiring youth through STEM," she said with a smile.
Tamara was a board member of the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) when she received the award at the BEYA Conference.
TAME is working to build a strong science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce with more women and minorities contributing to the world through STEM careers. Over the years, they have reached thousands of students through programs that depend on the support of volunteers like Tamara from industry, schools, libraries, and local communities. Every year, the TAME Trailblazers travel around Texas, sharing math and science exhibits.
When Tamara began working on the F-35 program, she was the youngest member. Her exceptional performance resulted in an invitation to become a permanent member.
“I had three brothers. I was the only girl,” Tamara said. “I had learned how to succeed in an atmosphere dominated by men.”