Scott J. Howe

Scott J. Howe is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He remotely pilots the Global Hawk, X-56 and Resilient Autonomy unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and also flies missions for Armstrong’s King Air research testbed and T-34 mission support aircraft. As a UAS subject matter expert, Howe helps develop future UAS concepts, airspace architectures and autonomy implementations.

Experience

Howe joined the flight operations staff in 2014 following an 18-year career that included active duty and military support contract experience.

Prior to joining NASA, Howe served as an instructor and evaluator test pilot at the U.S. Air Force Medium Altitude UAS Flight Test Detachment. During this time, Howe reached a milestone of 2,000 hours of remotely piloted aircraft flight time with the MQ-1 and MQ-9 Predator aircraft.

Howe was an active duty pilot with the Air Force from 1996 through 2007. He flew the F15-C/D Eagle and RQ/MQ-1 Predator aircraft. Howe served two F-15 tours in the Pacific Region and has more than 900 hours in the F-15. As an MQ-1 pilot with more than 1,700 hours, Howe served as an instructor pilot and supported operations and task forces, in addition to search and rescue missions.

Education

Howe earned a Bachelor of Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California, where he received a test pilot certificate and a Master of Science in flight test and evaluation. Howe serves as an instructor pilot in the California National Guard with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Honors

Howe was presented with the Orville Wright Achievement Award by the Order of the Daedalians. Military honors he has received include the Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.