Dr. David E. Lambert is a distinguished senior executive serving as the Chief Scientist of Air Warfare Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. As the principal scientific and technical advisor to the Director, Dr. Lambert provides strategic foresight and oversight for a comprehensive science and technology portfolio. Entrusted with over $1.3 billion in core research funding, he drives the innovation and rapid advancement of next-generation air warfare capabilities for the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.
Leading a diverse workforce of more than 2,000 government civilians and contractors, Dr. Lambert synergizes multidisciplinary talent to accelerate the discovery, development and transition of cutting-edge defense technologies. His technical leadership encompasses vital modernization areas, including air platforms, autonomous systems, guidance and control, kinetic energy effectors, modeling, simulation and analysis and the integration of such for development and transition of capability concepts. Dr. Lambert’s personal expertise is deeply rooted in applied physics and engineering, spanning a broad range of disciplines such as detonation physics, dynamic fracture and fragmentation, penetration mechanics and integrated ordnance systems.
With a distinguished career spanning over four decades in the Department of War, Dr. Lambert is a preeminent expert in applied research and development for weapon systems. He is a recognized Fellow of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Air Force Research Laboratory. He has continually guided the technical community through leadership roles in premier organizations such as the International Ballistics Society, the Hypervelocity Impact Society, and the Aeroballistics Range Association.
On the global stage, Dr. Lambert actively shapes the defense technology landscape as the U.S. National Lead for the Weapons Group of the Five Eyes Science and Technology organization. Domestically, he represents the Air Force on the Executive Steering Group of the Kinetic Weapons Community of Interest—a pivotal initiative under the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering's Reliance 21 program.
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee
1991 Master of Science, Engineering Mechanics, University of Florida, Gainesville
1998 Doctor of Philosophy, Engineering Mechanics, University of Florida, Gainesville
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. May 1985–May 1987, Engineering and Architecture Student Trainee, Civil Engineering Group (AD/DEEPE), Armament Directorate, Air Force Systems Command, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
2. May 1987–June 1992, Mechanical Engineer, Warheads Branch, Air Force Armament Laboratory, Aeronautical Systems Command, Eglin AFB, Fla.
3. July 1992–March 1997, Mechanical Engineer, Warheads Branch, Wright Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin AFB, Fla.
4. March 1997–January 2009, Team Lead, Damage Mechanisms Branch, Munitions Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. January 2009–September 2013, Damage Mechanisms Sciences Core Technical Competency Lead, Damage Mechanisms Branch, Munitions Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB, Fla.
6. September 2013–July 2015, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Ordnance Sciences Core Technical Competency Lead, Ordnance Division, Munitions Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB, Fla.
7. July 2015–March 2026, Chief Scientist, Munitions Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. March 2026–present, Chief Scientist, Air Warfare Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Fellow, Air Force Research Laboratory
Exemplary Civilian Service Award
2x Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Air and Space Civilian Achievement Award
Science and Technology Achievement Award, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Air Force Research Laboratory Science, Engineering and Technical Award
Air Force Materiel Command Science, Engineering and Technical Award
Leroy Collins Distinguished Graduate, Northwest Florida State College
Distinguished Alumnus, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida
Hall of Fame, Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Fellow)
Air Force Research Laboratory (Fellow)
Hypervelocity Impact Society (Past President)
International Ballistics Society (Founding Senior Member)
DEFENSEWERX Board of Directors, ex officio (July 2015–May 2022)
National Exchange Club, Emerald Coast Chapter (President)
(Current as of June 2026)