Bradley Flick, director of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, will retire on Thursday, March 19, ending a nearly 40-year career at the agency. Troy Asher will serve as acting center director starting Friday, March 20. Flick began his NASA journey in 1986 as a flight systems engineer.
He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering from Clarkson University and later a master's degree in engineering management from Rochester Institute of Technology. Flick was appointed as center director on December 5, 2022, following a period as acting director. His career spanned historic achievements by NASA, including the groundbreaking X-29 forward-swept wing aircraft and the first flight of the X-59 quiet supersonic technology aircraft.
He also worked on the F/A-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle project. In 1988, Flick moved to the Operations Engineering branch, where he played a lead role in developing experimental systems including thrust vectoring control, emergency electrical and hydraulic systems, and the spin recovery parachute system. He served as mission controller for about 100 HARV research flights.
Flick held leadership positions including Flight Systems branch chief, acting associate director for Flight Operations, center chief engineer, deputy director and director for Research and Engineering, and deputy center director. ' Isaacman added, 'For nearly four decades, he contributed to some of the agency's most challenging flight research efforts—from the X-29 through the first flight of the X-59—and helped strengthen the team and capabilities at Armstrong along the way. ' Troy Asher, who will serve as acting center director, previously served as director, Flight Operations, at NASA Armstrong.
The specific reason for Flick's retirement at this time is not known, and it is unclear whether Asher will be considered as a permanent replacement or if a broader search is planned.