Michael “Willy” Andersen is the Vice President of Multi Domain-Special Programs & Capabilities for Phantom Works, the Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s advanced research and development organization responsible for cutting-edge operational analysis, modeling, and simulation; development of innovative concepts and technologies; advanced technology prototyping and transition; and maintaining Boeing’s core engineering talent pipeline for special technologies.

Prior to joining Boeing in July 2020, he worked at Raytheon where he led classified programs involving advanced sensor technologies and at Bell where he was the V-22 Program Director.

After 27 years of active service, he retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel in September 2011. During his career, he led many product development and test activities across a spectrum of aircraft, weapons, avionics, and international weapon systems programs. In his last assignment, he was responsible for development, production, and sustainment of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Targeting Pod (HTS), and AIM-9X Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missile fleet as Program Director for the joint U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy air-to-air weapons portfolio.

In previous Air Force assignments, he served as the F-35 multirole combat aircraft Chief Engineer in the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office, responsible for all technical activities involved in developing the F-35 aircraft and ground systems for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and eight partner countries.
Prior to this, he led the Air Force’s operational cyber test squadron and had been assigned to the Air Force Information Warfare Center and deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base as the Combined Forces Air Component Deputy Commander for information warfare during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In earlier assignments, he served as deputy for the Air Force’s Red Team, led B-2 aircraft survivability flight test and was the operations officer/flight test engineer for a specialized test squadron. He also served as an aircrew member on F-16, F-15, AWACS, A-3, King Air, and MH-60 helicopter aircraft.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University and an executive MBA in International Business from Georgetown University and Esade University in Spain.