Hypersonic ramjets and the beginnings of the scramjet age define the distinguished career of Mr. Joseph G. Bendot. From his star-f- in 1950 on a ramjet target drone, into the 1990's working on the National Aero Space Plane (NASP) propulsion system, Mr. Bendot advanced the science of high-speed airbreathing flight around the world. The Marquardt Company was where he practiced his profession for thirty-five of his more than fifty years in his field; from Propulsion Engineer, to a 25 year stint as a Program Manger, and finally Director of Engineering. His programs run the gamut of advanced, high Mach engine development that include the PLUTO Nuclear Ramjet, Ejector/SEPJ combined cycle engines, LFRED, ASALM, ACIMD, AAAM, ducted and solid fueled ramjets, NASP, and others just too numerous to mention. All this in addition to 25 years as a consultant to USAF Intelligence.

Internationally Mr. Bendot's expertise was renowned in the ramjet area, especially the former Soviet Union. As the first American to tour the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) Aircraft Research Center in Moscow in 1989, he was then honored two years later with a Bondaruck Award by the Russian Academy of Science and Aviation Federation for ramjet development work. Mr. Bendot lectured in England, Germany, India, France, China and the former USSR on multiple occasions. Upon his retirement from the Marquardt Company in 1991, he received the Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award from the San Fernando Valley Engineers Council in California.

All of us who strive to go faster, higher and longer in the hypersonic realm owe a debt to Joseph G. Bendot. His work is the bedrock on which we base our newest triumphs, and his name is rightfully placed on the Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor.