James Weber (BS/AE ’87), a nationally recognized leader in hypersonic technology, was inducted into the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering’s (MABE) Hall of Fame during the department’s annual awards banquet on April 24.
“Being inducted into the UT MABE Hall of Fame is the honor of a lifetime,” said Weber. “As a Tennessee native and lifelong Big Orange fan, this recognition holds deep personal meaning.”
Weber has more than 30 years of experience in researching, developing, and testing hypersonic systems—high-speed platforms that travel above Mach 5 and play a critical role in national defense—and has helped shape this strategically vital field. A member of the federal senior professional cadre (the government’s top tier of civilian technical experts), he has led hypersonics efforts within both the U.S. Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
He began his career in 1992 as a propulsion engineer at Wright Laboratory, now part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where he developed scramjet propulsion systems to enable single-stage-to-orbit hypersonic platforms and advanced weapon systems. He later served as program manager for the AFRL High-Speed Strike Weapon initiative at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, leading efforts to mature critical technologies for future Air Force hypersonic weapons.
Today, Weber serves as the Department of Defense’s senior official and subject matter expert for hypersonics. As principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies at the Pentagon, he defines and leads the department’s priorities, strategy, and roadmaps for hypersonic weapons, platforms, and counter-hypersonic systems. He oversees an annual portfolio exceeding $5 billion, spanning science and technology, prototyping, test and evaluation, and industrial base development.
Before stepping into his current role, Weber served as the Air Force’s senior scientist for hypersonics, where he led the service’s hypersonic science and technology enterprise. In that role, he was the principal scientific authority and advisor to senior Air Force leadership on hypersonics.
Under Weber’s leadership, the nation achieved its first successful hypersonic weapon flight demonstrations, significantly advancing U.S. capabilities in this domain. These achievements include the Air Force’s Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike, and the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon.
Weber holds a master’s degree and PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. An Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he also holds three Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Awards.
He credits his UT engineering education with laying the foundation for his groundbreaking work in hypersonic technology and national defense.
Weber joins fellow Hall of Fame members Tom Noyes, a UT classmate from the class of 1987, and NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore. He and Wilmore grew up in Mt. Juliet, attending school and playing baseball together.
“This honor reflects the values UT instilled in me—curiosity, integrity, and purpose,” said Weber. “It is a tribute to the mentors and colleagues who shaped my journey, and I hope it inspires future generations to pursue their passion and contribute to a greater cause.”
Established in 2015, the MABE Hall of Fame honors alumni who have earned an engineering degree, made a significant impact in their field, and demonstrated a lasting contribution to society.
Contact
Kathy Williams (865-974-8615, williamk@utk.edu)