Jim Chilton, Boeing‘s (NYSE: BA) former vice president and program manager for exploration launch systems, has been appointed vice president and general manager of strategic missile and defense systems.
The 29-year company veteran will succeed Greg Hyslop, who will serve as VP and GM of research and technology, Boeing said Tuesday.
Since March 2009, Hyslop has led missile defense, strategic missile and directed energy programs such as the Ground-based Missile Defense program, Arrow 3, Minuteman III and several laser-based defense systems and technology concepts.
As head of exploration launch systems, Chilton led the Space Launch System, Boeing’s heavy lift launch vehicle program aimed at exploring beyond Earth orbit starting in 2017.
He also led a contract team responsible final assembly and testing of space shuttle and expendable launch vehicle payloads, including hardware for the International Space Station.
Roger Krone, president of network and space systems, said Chilton brings both management and customer experience as well as technology expertise to his new role.
“He is a seasoned technology leader who will continue the focus on our customers, our program execution and technical leadership, ” Krone said.
Hyslop will lead Boeing’s central advanced research and development team, comprised of nearly 4, 000 employees that develop technologies for existing programs and products and work on technologies aimed at helping develop new products and business opportunities.
The 31-year company veteran will continue to work out of Huntsville, Ala. and report to John Tracy, chief technology officer of engineering, operations and technology.
In his most previous role, he led missile defense, strategic missile and directed energy programs such as the Ground-based Missile Defense program, Arrow 3, Minuteman III and other laser-based defense systems and technology concepts.
“He brings leadership experience from some of the most complex systems in aerospace, ” Tracy said.
Prior to heading missile defense, Hyslop served as VP and program director of the GMD program and has also served as VP and program manager of the Airborne Laser program.
Hyslop succeeds Matt Ganz, who was recently named president of Boeing Germany and Northern Europe and VP for European technology strategy.
