| Kenneth Wernicke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1932-10-12)October 12, 1932 Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 2022(2022-09-01) (aged 89) Bedford, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Aerospace Engineer |
| Children | Keith Wernicke
Fonda Fox Natalie Aldridge |
Kenneth Gene Wernicke (October 12, 1932 – September 1, 2022) was an American aerospace engineer. He had a leading role in the development of the tilt rotor aircraft Bell XV-3, Bell XV-15 and V-22 Osprey.
Life and career
Ken Wernicke had a BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas.
From 1955 to 1990 he was an engineer at Bell Helicopter, and worked as a leading engineer with Bob Lichten from 1964 on the tilt rotor technology.
Along with his twin brother Rod, (who was also a Bell engineer) his son Keith and Rod's sons Tim and Kent, he was developing a rubber tracked amphibious vehicle after the US Navy requested concepts for a scout vehicle that could travel on water at high speed and proceed with all terrain capability for reconnaissance on land. He holds patents related to flying and tracks.
Wernicke was an advisory board member of rotorcraft company Carter Aviation Technologies.
Wernicke died in Bedford, Texas, on September 1, 2022, at the age of 89.
Awards
Wernicke has received the Paul E. Haueter Memorial Award (American Helicopter Society) in 1978, and the Aircraft Design Award (AIAA) in 1983.
References
- ^ "Hydrofoil Presentations" International Hydrofoil Society, 16 May 2011. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- Miller, Jay. "Origin of the Species" Air & Space/Smithsonian, July 2004. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- ^ Maisel, Martin D., Demo J. Giulianetti and Daniel C. Dugan. NASA SP-2000-4517, "The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft: From Concept to Flight" (PDF) NASA, 2000. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- Whittle, Richard. "The Dream Machine: The Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey" pp41+48. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010. ISBN 1-4165-6295-8. Retrieved: 11 August 2012.
- Hanlon, Mike. "Killer amphibious vehicle - 39 mph on water and 55 mph on land" GizMag, 27 February 2007. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- Wernicke, Ken "Tracks Provide Amphibians the Sole Means of Propulsion at High Speeds on the Water" International Hydrofoil Society, 10 December 2009. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- "List of patents by Kenneth Wernicke" United States Patent and Trademark Office. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
- "Kenneth Wernicke Obituary (1932 - 2022) Star-Telegram". Legacy.com.
- "Paul E. Haueter Award", American Helicopter Society