David Dunaway’s Bio

Vice Adm. David Dunaway (USN, Ret.) held command of the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Prior to this, he was commander of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force in Norfolk, VA, and commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center (Weapons Division) at China Lake and Point Mugu, California, and as U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) assistant commander for Test and Evaluation.

Vice. Adm Dunaway’s program management assignments include: F/A-18 Radar Integrated Product Team lead for Program Manager Air (PMA) 265, responsible for the development of the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar; program manager for the Precision Strike Weapons program office (PMA-201); and deputy program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs.

After receiving his wings in April 1984, Vice Adm. Dunaway served as a graduate flight instructor than went on to complete flight training in the F/A-18 Hornet. From 1986 to 1989 he flew with the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron 151 aboard the carrier USS Midway (CV 41) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, and was then selected for Class 96 at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Dunaway’s test assignments include: A-12 operational test director with Air and Test Evaluation Squadron (VX) 5; F/A-18 branch head; deputy for Test and Evaluation at the F/A-18 Weapon System Support Activity; and F/A-18E/F operational test director with VX-9, where he flew more than 200 developmental test missions and was the test pilot of the year.

VADM Dunaway is currently a technology and defense related consultant who serves on multiple boards and advisory board positions.

Education

Vice Adm. Dunaway earned Master’s degrees in Aviation Systems Management from the University of Tennessee, and in Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and his Bachelor’s degree from the US Naval Academy.