Re: Aerospace Engineering Programs

Annie wrote in message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
>My son would like to major in Aerospace Engineering with the hope of
>one day working for Lockheed Martin, Boeing, or Northrup Grumman in
>their aeronautical divisions, working on military jets.

He might want to rethink this.  NG, I believe, is getting out of the
metal-bending business - they have some remaining business in the E-2 and
C-2 programs, but in general that part of the business is winding down.  The
only two active jet development programs, F-22 and F-35, are both Lockheed
wins.  Both remaining vendors each have a legacy program in the F-16 and
F/A-18 programs, which will support a cadre of engineers but not wild
hiring.

The other vendors to evaluate are Raytheon, which builds trainer and prop
aircraft (Beech) used in a variety of roles; Gulfstream, mainly commercial;
and the civilian side of Boeing, which does the tanker and electronic
warfare conversions of 7x7 aircraft.

This is a gross oversimplification of a very large market, but he should be
aware that there are comparatively fewer employers than in many other
fields.  At the same time, U.S.Nationals have an advantage in that they are
eligible for security clearances and foreign nationals are very restricted
in that area.

The real joker is the emerging field of RPVs - remotely piloted vehicles -
and there's no telling who will become pre-eminent in that area.

As far as picking a school, internships and alumni connections are key
elements.  I would look at colleges near the surviving airframe plants as a
start, in addition to the usual suspects.  Georgia Tech is worth a look
because of that (proximity to F-22).

But...it's anybody's guess what the future holds.

Hank Murphy
speaking only for myself