Senior engineer named an AFRL fellow

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Dr. David Lambert, a senior mechanical engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate's damage mechanisms branch, was recently named an AFRL fellow.

The recognition acknowledges Lambert as an expert among his peers within his field. He is one of only four AFRL scientists to have ever received the honor.

Lambert, who has been in civil service for 27 years, was honored for his vast body of work. Working closely with other scientists, he achieved successes in many research projects, including detonation and explosive-metal interactions for advanced warhead concepts. His research was cited as a cornerstone to specific munitions, which adapt and optimize their response to target classification, while minimizing collateral damage.

Lambert's research also enabled the transformation of weaponized unmanned aerial systems and future miniature cybernetic organisms.

Among Lambert's significant accomplishments are the validation and transition of detonation shock dynamics, an advanced method of numerically simulating the detonation processes that occur in explosives, along with reactive burn models.

Another accomplishment was turning the Air Force's warhead test range into a world-class research facility.

"I consider this recognition a team award," said Lambert, who has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Florida State University, a master's in engineering mechanics from the University of Florida and a doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of Florida.

Accompanying the recognition is a two-year, $100,000 research stipend.

"We plan to use the stipend to conduct precision experiments, to obtain more information on our advanced materials and simulation capabilities, such as the detonation shock dynamics," he said.

Lambert said the motivation of an AFRL engineer is the freedom to pursue research that will better equip tomorrow's warfighter.

"The recent addition of F-35 jets to Eglin has stirred much excitement in knowing our science today will transition to protection of our country tomorrow," he said. "We interact on a global scale with the best of the best research minds and get to mature those ideas back at Eglin with outstanding research equipment."

Lambert said he owes a good deal of his success to mentors who trusted and empowered him throughout his career.

"I'm happy to work in this field," said Lambert. "It's allowed me to become an explorer and an expert. I've also been fortunate to pass on my experiences to young kids and college students who aspire to become mechanical engineers."

Lambert, a married father of four, also credits his mother for his accomplishments.

"My mom raised five kids as a single parent," said Lambert. "She displayed a tremendous work ethic and set a great example for us early on. I owe just about all of my success to her."