NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. – Rapidly delivering critical capabilities to the fleet earned the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) a trifecta of awards at NAVAIR’s annual Commander’s Awards ceremony on June 4.
NAVAIR Commander Carl Chebi presented the following three awards to PMA-265 teams:
NAVAIR Edward H. Heinemann Award
APG-79(V)4 Radar Integrated Product Team rapidly fielded the most significant capability enhancement to the F/A-18C/D Hornet in its nearly 40-year service life.
The team’s integration of the APG-79(V)4 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar marked a generational leap in combat capability, dramatically increasing the aircraft’s lethality and survivability. In just five years, the team designed, tested and fielded this critical upgrade to U.S. Marine Corps squadrons.
The APG-79(V)4 helps pilots detect and track enemy aircraft and ships at much greater distances, making the Hornet more effective and survivable in modern combat. Its advanced design delivers greater power and efficiency that enables long-range detection and targeting, improves integration with electronic warfare systems and reduces pilot workload. These enhancements transform the legacy Hornet into a 4th/5th-generation hybrid fighter that is a force multiplier in contested maritime environments.
To meet urgent fleet needs, the team employed a novel approach that emphasized close collaboration, agile development and rapid integration. Within 18 months of initial test in May 2022, the first 12 radars were deployed operationally. To date, the team has delivered 61 systems supporting three USMC deployments and the Royal Canadian Air Force Hornet Extension Program.
“This was a true example of speed with discipline,” said Capt. Michael Burks, PMA-265 program manager. “The team’s ability to overcome technical and production challenges, and get a game-changing capability into the hands of the warfighter, reflects the very best of naval aviation.”
With the team’s proactive, solution-focused approach, the USMC completed its first APG-79(V)4-equipped deployment in 2024. Through close coordination with industry and service partners, the team met a demanding schedule and ensured aircraft remained mission ready after deployment.
The Edward H. Heinemann Award is presented annually to honor significant contributions in the field of aerospace engineering or systems design that improve the combat effectiveness of U.S. Naval Aviation platforms.
Speed of Capability Award
PMA-265 personnel led cross-team effort of the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 Tiger Team that delivered combat-critical upgrades to the F/A-18E/F in record time.
“Clarity, trust, a bias for action and a willingness to learn are what enable us to deliver outcomes,” said Burks. “Everyone involved in these efforts worked across boundaries, challenged old thinking and focused relentlessly on what the fleet actually needed. These are prime examples of how empowered teams and rapid, integrated action can shift the operational advantage in real time.”
In early 2024, PMA-265 received urgent requests from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 for F/A-18E/F modifications to counter region-specific threats in the Middle East. A cross-functional “tiger team” from PMA-265, the Air-to-Air Missiles program office (PMA-259), the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office (PMA-272), the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft and Weapons Divisions quickly mobilized to deliver solutions.
The team enhanced radar systems to improve threat detection, doubled missile carriage capacity, secured special authorization to increase landing weight and reprogrammed electronic warfare systems to strengthen survivability in high-threat environments. These solutions were delivered within weeks of each request – and in some cases, within days – directly improving aircrew lethality and survivability while supporting the defense of global trade and supply lines in a contested area.
Most Impactful Supervisor Award
Chris Albright, System Configuration Set (SCS) integrated product team lead, led the transformation of PMA-265’s software development approach. Under his direction, the SCS team replaced the traditional waterfall model with agile practices – cutting delivery timelines, reducing defects and enabling more frequent fielding of critical upgrades.
He also led modernization efforts in cloud development, automated testing, lab infrastructure and cybersecurity, reducing contractor dependencies and expanding government control over essential systems.
By fostering a high-trust, accountable team culture, Albright empowered SCS team members to solve problems at their level, streamlining workflows and improving quality. The success of his team’s agile model has been recognized across NAVAIR and is now being adopted by other program offices.
Central to Albright’s impact is a commitment to continuous learning. By encouraging teams to self-asses, adapt and improve, he has helped make agility and innovation part of the PMA-265 identity, ensuring long-term mission success.
As part of Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft Programs, PMA-265 supports, sustains and advances the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, delivering critical capabilities to ensure naval aviators succeed in dynamic and contested operational environments.