Dr. Robert Baurle, a member of the Scientific and Professional cadre of senior executives, is the Senior Scientist for Hypersonics, Air Warfare Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In this capacity, he serves as the primary scientific authority and independent researcher for hypersonic systems, driving the technological maturity required to transition Air Force hypersonic weapons and platforms into acquisition programs of record. Dr. Baurle orchestrates the Air Force hypersonic science and technology strategy, aligns service capabilities with interagency partners, and advises senior Air Force leadership on national hypersonic systems development.
Dr. Baurle is an aerospace engineer with over 30 years of experience in the research, analysis, and advancement of hypersonic systems. He began his professional career with Taitech, Inc. at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, leading a Computational Fluid Dynamics team focused on the numerical analysis of hypersonic propulsion systems. Subsequently, he spent 21 years at the NASA Langley Research Center as a research scientist and computational analysis group lead for the Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion Branch. During his NASA tenure, Dr. Baurle spearheaded the development of advanced CFD tools used to design and evaluate hypersonic air-breathing systems. He served as a premier subject matter expert for joint national (NASA and DoD) propulsion development programs, while directing technical oversight for in-house scramjet research and external contract awards. A recognized leader in his field, Dr. Baurle has authored more than 100 technical papers advancing hypersonic technology.
EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
1992 Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
1995 Doctor of Philosophy, Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. January 1996–December 2002, Research Scientist, Taitech, Inc., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. January 1997–May 1997, Adjunct Professor, Wright State University, Fairborn, Ohio
3. January 2003–April 2024, Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
4. April 2024–present, Senior Scientist, Hypersonics, Air Warfare Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND HONORS
5x Joint Army/Navy/NASA/Air Force Subcommittee Best Paper Awards
2x American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Best Paper Awards
3x NASA Performance Awards leading to an accelerated within grade step promotion
2x Certificate of Recognition Awards for creative development of software for NASA
NASA Superior Accomplishment Award for outstanding achievement
2008 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Associate Fellow
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Joint Army/Navy/NASA/Air Force Interagency Propulsion Committee
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Sigma Gamma Tau Aerospace Honor Society
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
Pi Mu Epsilon Honorary Mathematics Society
(Current as of August 2026)