David G. Ward
Senior Techncial Director and President

Joining Barron Associates in 1991, Mr. Ward has concentrated on development of algorithms for stochastic optimization of complex systems, nonlinear inductive modeling using statistical and artificial neural networks, robust on-line parameter identification and receding-horizon optimal control. His algorithms for nonlinear function estimation using artificial neural networks form the basis of a number of commercial software products. He has led BAI's work in Modeling Algorithms and in Flight Controls Research since 1993.

In the area of intelligent flight control, Mr. Ward spearheaded the development of a neural network flight control system and a reconfigurable self-designing controller (SDC). Specific responsibilities for the latter project included development of real-time parameter identification and control algorithms, the porting of these algorithms to the digital flight control system, software verification, pre-flight checkout, and development of the flight test plan. The SDC was successfully evaluated in a series of flight tests that culminated with a smooth landing of an F-16 aircraft having a (simulated) completely missing left horizontal tail surface.

As principal or co-principal investigator, Mr. Ward has also led BAI's research efforts in algorithms for modeling complex systems from data, reinforcement learning techniques and applications, subsurface ordnance detection, rotorcraft limit avoidance, automated robustness analysis of flight control systems, automated maintenance of simulation databases, globally stable design and analysis tools for reconfigurable flight control systems with saturating actuators, intelligent control algorithms for multiple effector control systems, tactile cueing for avoidance of pilot-induced oscillations in manned and unmanned air vehicles, and reconfigurable control systems for tailless fighter aircraft.

From 1985 to 1986, Mr. Ward worked at the General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center, where he developed parallel algorithms for Kalman filtering. Mr. Ward's work also included the development of parameter identification tools using recursive prediction error methods. After leaving General Electric, Mr. Ward worked as an independent consultant, primarily for AT&T, in a variety of areas including recursive algorithms for decision and risk analysis, natural language processing, and large-scale investment modeling systems.

Mr. Ward received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 1985, and a Master's degree in Computer and Systems Engineering in 1986 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His graduate work concentrated on digital signal processing and control systems. Mr. Ward is a member of the IEEE, AIAA, SAE Aerospace Guidance and Control Systems Committee, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). He has a number of U.S. patent applications pending.


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