General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has had several team members recognized by the San Diego section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) with awards for outstanding achievement.
GA-ASI engineers and program teams were awarded for excellent achievement in aerospace management, aerospace engineering, aerospace organization, and lifetime achievement. The awards were presented at an event hosted by AIAA on May 3, 2025.
GA-ASI is a leading employer in the San Diego area and a manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), radars, electro-optic systems, and related mission solutions.
AIAA award winners from GA-ASI include:
Mike Connolly was recognized for outstanding contributions to aerospace management. As a senior program manager for GA-ASI’s Leasing Services, Mr. Connolly consistently displays his mastery of customer service and product knowledge, which has earned him high praise from GA-ASI’s international customers, particularly the Indian Navy. He is also known and respected for his innovative thinking, which has contributed greatly to the growth of GA-ASI’s leasing business.
In the category of outstanding contribution to aerospace engineering, GA-ASI Vice President of Hardware Engineering Dan Stenger was awarded. From 2021-2023, Mr. Stenger played a critical leadership role in the test program for the United Kingdom’s Protector UAS for MQ-9B System Verification. In that capacity, he led the engineering oversight and integration efforts that ultimately culminated in the successful fielding of the first customer delivered MQ-9B model UAS from GA-ASI. This achievement not only marked a milestone in GA-ASI’s global partnerships but also reflected Mr. Stenger’s ability to guide international programs to success through rigorous testing and compliance with complex regulatory frameworks, and seamless coordination with multinational stakeholders.
GA-ASI’s Sonobuoy Dispensing System Team was awarded for outstanding achievement by an aerospace organization. GA-ASI recently developed a ground-breaking Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) as part of a first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian®. This marked the first sonobuoy deployment capability for an unmanned aircraft. Since its first safe-separation and end-to-end dispensing flight test, SDS stands as a testament to GA-ASI’s commitment to advancing force-multiplying solutions for maritime and multi-domain operations.
Lastly, GA-ASI’s James (Jim) Machin was awarded for lifetime achievement. With a career that spans over four decades, Mr. Machin has pushed the boundaries of UAS technology and capability, leaving an indelible mark on the field. His tenure at GA-ASI is a testament to his extraordinary contributions, visionary leadership, and exceptional achievements.
Mr. Machin was among the original seven employees who formed what would become GA-ASI in 1991. After managing the Flight Test Facility and Composite Design and Manufacturing departments, he led GA-ASI’s Research and Development organization, responsible for airframe design and prototype manufacturing. In this capacity, Mr. Machin executed numerous projects, including the development of key platforms such as the Predator®, Reaper®, and Avenger®. He has been a driving force behind numerous UAS projects, serving as the principal engineer for aircraft design on over 20 different aircraft platforms.
GA-ASI Engineering Vice President Dee Wilson, commented, “At GA-ASI, we have the most dynamic and capable team of engineers in all of aerospace. AIAA helps to reinforce my belief each year with the many awards that are given to GA-ASI teams and individuals to recognize their great accomplishments.”
