Kenneth Wernicke


Kenneth "Ken" G. Wernicke is an American aerospace engineer. He had a leading role in the development of the tilt rotor aircraft Bell XV-3, Bell XV-15 and V-22 Osprey.

Life and career

Ken Wernicke has a BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas.
From 1955 to 1990 he was an engineer at Bell Helicopter, and worked as a leading engineer with Bob Lichten from 1964 on the tilt rotor technology.
Along with his twin brother Rod, his son Keith and Rod's sons Tim and Kent, he is developing a rubber tracked amphibious vehicle after the US Navy requested concepts for a scout vehicle that could travel on water at high speed and proceed with all terrain capability for reconnaissance on land. He holds patents related to flying and tracks.
Ken is an advisory board member of rotorcraft company Carter Aviation Technologies.

Awards

Wernicke has received the Paul E. Haueter Memorial Award in 1978, and the Aircraft Design Award in 1983.