AIAA Awards and Recognition

Boom Supersonic XB-1 Team

In recognition of the historic design and development of Boom Supersonic’s demonstrator, XB-1, the first independently developed supersonic jet, which demonstrated Boomless Cruise on two supersonic flights in 2025.

Award Presentation: Thursday, 11 June, 8 a.m. Plenary Session, Seaport E-H Ballroom, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA

Charbel Farhat

Vivian Church Hoff Professor of Aircraft Structures School of Engineering
Stanford University

The Daniel Guggenheim Medal was established as an international award for the purpose of honoring an individual who makes notable achievements in advancing the safety and practicality of aviation. The Medal recognizes contributions to aeronautical research & development and educational outreach, the development of civil aircraft and equipment, and the application of aircraft to the economic and social activities of the nation.
This award is sponsored by AIAA, ASME, SAE International, and the Vertical Flight Society.

For pioneering advances in the computational mechanics of fluid–structure interaction, transforming simulation methodologies and enabling major breakthroughs in aircraft design and optimization.

Award Presentation: Tuesday, 9 June, 8 a.m. Plenary Session, Seaport E-H Ballroom, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA

Walter Silva

NASA Langley Research Center

For seminal contributions to CFD-based unsteady aerodynamics, reduced-order models, visionary leadership in aeroelasticity, and internationally recognized excellence in teaching and research.

Brian J. Cantwell

Stanford University

This award is presented for outstanding contributions to the understanding of the behavior of liquids and gases in motion as related to need in aeronautics and astronautics.

For lifelong seminal advancements of fluid dynamics principles and turbulence modeling, including the development of a highly accurate Universal Velocity Profile for wall-bounded flows.

Carson D. Slabaugh

Purdue University

This award is presented for outstanding achievement in the development or effective utilization of technology, procedures, facilities, or modeling techniques for flight simulation, space simulation, propulsion testing, aerodynamic testing, or other ground testing associated with aeronautics and astronautics.

For pioneering experimental research and dedicated mentorship that advanced aerospace
propulsion through groundbreaking ground testing, benchmark datasets, community leadership, and translation of discoveries into national capabilities for flight.

Leonard Zentz

Navy Strategic Systems Program (retired)
Hypersonics Fellow – System Planning & Analysis

This award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical or aeronautical-related program or project.

For programmatic and technical leadership of the U.S. Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike effort leading to successful transition to Navy and Army prototype weapon systems.

Anne Gazaix

Airbus Operations SAS

This award is presented to recognize This award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the development and/or application of techniques of multidisciplinary design optimization in the context of aerospace engineering.

For pioneering contributions to simulation software, collaborative innovation, and the industrial adoption of MDO methodologies.

Campbell D. Carter

Air Force Research Laboratory

This award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the physical properties and dynamical behavior of matter in the plasma state and lasers as related to aeronautics and astronautics.

In recognition of outstanding achievements in high-speed advanced laser diagnostics and development of laser-based measuring systems for combustion and fluid dynamics research.

Christopher O. Johnston

NASA Langley Research Center

This award is presented for an outstanding singular or sustained technical or scientific contribution by an individual in thermophysics, specifically as related to the study and application of the properties and mechanisms involved in thermal energy transfer and the study of environmental effects on such properties and mechanisms.

For ground-breaking advancements in the field of shock-layer radiative heating with significant impacts to entry vehicle designs, crew safety, and planetary protection threat assessments.