Dr. Patrick J. Baker is the Director of the Army Research Laboratory’s Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD). WMRD conducts research in Lethality, Protection, and Materials and Manufacturing and manages and collaborates on multiple extramural programs ranging from basic research to manufacturing technology. The Directorate consists of approximately 450 employees with annual revenue over $200 million. Dr Baker’s presentation.
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From 1995 to his appointment in May 2012, Dr. Baker held several positions in ARL. Starting as a bench researcher, he progressed through Explosives Technologies Branch Chief; Deputy Director WMRD, and Chief of the Terminal Effects and Protection Divisions. Dr. Baker also managed the extramural Joint Insensitive Munitions Technology Program on behalf of OUSD/AT&L/Office of Land Warfare & Munitions.
Dr. Baker currently serves as Chair of the RDECOM Protection Technology Focus Team. He serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Joint Munitions, Fuze Technology, and Insensitive Munitions Technology Programs. He is a member of the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium Executive Committee, and serves on the Board of Directors for two High Performance Software Application Institutes. He formally chaired the TTCP Terminal Effects Technical Panel, the Joint Insensitive Munitions Technical Panel, the US Army Insensitive Munitions Board, and he was active or led several JANNAF panels and activities during his early technical career.
Dr. Baker started his career with the Army in July 1984 at the Ballistics ResearchLaboratory. After leaving in 1989 to pursue and complete his PhD, Dr. Baker worked for the University of Dayton Research Institute before returning to Army in 1995.
Dr. Baker holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University and a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Baker has over 60 technical publications and reports. He is a recipient of the JANNAF PSHS Outstanding Sustained Contribution Award, an Army’s Greatest Invention Award, the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Award. Click here for the presentation.