ECE Graduate, Fairley, Receives Department of Defense Award

Joshua Fairley

Joshua Fairley, an electrical engineer and program manager for the near-surface phenomenology program at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., was recently selected as the third recipient of the Department of Defense (DOD) David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration award for his work in Countermine Phenomenology, Joint Antiterrorism/Force Protection and Antiterrorist Barrier programs.

Through research in these areas, Fairley made important contributions to the protection of DOD personnel. He developed an automated target recognition numerical algorithm (validated by field data) to more effectively evaluate the accuracy of electro-optical and infrared detection systems for mines and improvised explosive devices, improving accuracy of these systems by 75 percent and reducing false alarms.

Fairley also developed software to guide use of the Joint Antiterrorism/Force Protection system that determines required planning, risk reduction measures, resources and exercises needed to protect installations from terrorist attack.

He created a testing apparatus for an antiterrorist barrier system with unusual dimensions and high load requirements and later validated with full-scale crash tests. The barrier system is now in use by both military and civilian communities. His achievements have contributed tremendously to the safety of DOD personnel.

Fairly earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University and is currently working toward his master's degree at Mississippi State.

The ERDC is the premier research and development facility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with more than 2,000 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program exceeding $1 billion. It conducts research in both military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation.