Manny Torres
It is with great pleasure that the NDIA’s Integrated Precision Warfare Division presents the 2023 Richard H. Johnson Award to Mr. Manny Torres.
The Johnson Award recognizes outstanding personal technical achievement resulting in significant contribution to precision strike systems. Mr. Torres is a significant technical leader with over 38 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. His contributions include multiple US long-range strategic strike weapon systems, hypersonic precision strike weapon systems, and advanced counter-hypersonic weapon system solutions. The impact of Mr. Torres’s many excellent contributions have certainly made a difference in the precision strike community.
Like Dick Johnson, for whom the award is named, Manny developed a professional and personal career path focused on warfighter technology-related research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) and education that have made a significant impact on warfighter operations requiring precision engagement. He is known for the development of innovative solutions, and the integration of advanced technology and hardware, enabling superior flight system capabilities for the nation’s strike, deterrence, and defense missions.
Manny’s career has enhanced the operations of the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Army. Some of his significant contributions to the precision strike community include the Air Force Peacekeeper and Minuteman re-entry system, the DARPA Falcon and Tactical Boost Glide Hypersonic strike system, Small Caliber Smart Munition, Burnt Frost, the advanced hypervelocity projectile solutions, and the Air Launched Hit-to-Kill counter-hypersonic solution. His technical solutions also include critical platform modifications for both EA-6B and the F-35.
Mr. Torres has significantly influenced other technologists and engineers while advancing efforts for a wide range of U.S. warfighter efforts. In keeping with the high standard set by Dick Johnson, he shares his knowledge and experience with the future generations. Manny is recognized as both a mentor and coach, by generously sharing his insight, leading, motivating, teaching, advising scientists and engineers, both inside and outside of his company, as well as serving as an adjunct professor for Villanova University, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Mr. Torres’ technical contributions are wide reaching. He serves as Associate Editor and Reviewer for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauts (AIAA) Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Advisory Committee for the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Villanova, a member of the Board of Directors for National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Delaware Chapter and is recognized as a national expert in flight sciences with applications to hypersonic, strategic-strike, defense, reentry, targets and aircraft systems. He has also been named a Lockheed Martin Fellow.
Because of these contributions, NDIA’s Integrated Precision Warfare Division is proud to name Mr. Manny Torres as the recipient of the fifteenth annual Richard H. Johnson Technical Achievement Award and the 2023 Johnson Trophy.