Bureau of Aeronautics
Encyclopedia
The Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation
from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" (i.e., responsibility) for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems. Aerial weapons, however, were under the cognizance of the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance
(BuOrd).
(1869–1933), a Medal of Honor recipient and battleship commander who had long supported the development of Naval Aviation
. He served as bureau chief from 1921 until his death in 1933, in the crash of the airship
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
.
A talented administrator, Moffett ensured the continued independence of Naval Aviation during the 1920's, when Army Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell and others sought to merge all U.S. military aviation into a single, independent air force. Upon Moffett's death, he was succeeded as Chief, BuAer, by Rear Admiral Ernest J. King--a future Fleet Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations
during World War II
. Other important bureau chiefs included Rear Admiral John S. McCain, Sr.
, the grandfather of U.S. Senator John S. McCain III
(R-Ariz.).
During the 1930's, BuAer presided over rapid technological change in Naval aircraft. The bureau's policy was to limit its own production, in order to support the civilian aircraft industry. BuAer used the Naval Aircraft Factory
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, as a facility for building small numbers of prototype aircraft.
brought immense changes as well. BuAer was forced to expand rapidly in order to comply with the nation's defense needs. By the war's end, the bureau had developed an administrative structure that oversaw thousands of personnel, and the procurement and maintenance of tens of thousands of aircraft. In 1943, the Navy established the position of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air, or DCNO(Air), a move which relieved some of BuAer's responsibility for Fleet operations. RADM McCain
, now promoted to Vice Admiral, was the first to fill the position.
BuAer downsized after the war, but continued its focus on aeronautical research and development. But as Naval technology became increasingly complex, it became clear that the Navy's material organization was insufficient. In particular, the Navy needed better integration of aerial weapons with Naval aircraft. There was also the question of "pilotless aircraft" (the ancestors of the late 20th century's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
s)—BuAer considered these to be aircraft, while BuOrd saw them as guided missiles.
To fix the problem, in 1959 the Navy merged BuAer and BuOrd to create the Bureau of Naval Weapons
(BuWeps). This was only a temporary solution, however, and in 1966 the Navy undertook a wholesale revision of its material organization. The bureau system
, which had existed since the 1840s, was replaced with the "Systems Commands" (SYSCOMs). BuWeps was replaced with the current Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR).
Naval aviation
Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" (i.e., responsibility) for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems. Aerial weapons, however, were under the cognizance of the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance
Bureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
(BuOrd).
Origins: 1920s and 1930s
Congress established BuAer in 1921 in order to create a single organizational home for Naval Aviation. Prior to 1921, cognizance for aviation had been divided among various Navy bureaus and other organizations. The first Chief of BuAer was Rear Admiral William A. MoffettWilliam A. Moffett
William Adger Moffett was an American admiral notable as the architect of naval aviation in the United States Navy.-Biography:...
(1869–1933), a Medal of Honor recipient and battleship commander who had long supported the development of Naval Aviation
Naval aviation
Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
. He served as bureau chief from 1921 until his death in 1933, in the crash of the airship
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship of the United States Navy that was lost in a weather-related accident off the New Jersey coast early on April 4, 1933, killing 73 of the 76 crew and passengers on board...
.
A talented administrator, Moffett ensured the continued independence of Naval Aviation during the 1920's, when Army Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell and others sought to merge all U.S. military aviation into a single, independent air force. Upon Moffett's death, he was succeeded as Chief, BuAer, by Rear Admiral Ernest J. King--a future Fleet Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Other important bureau chiefs included Rear Admiral John S. McCain, Sr.
John S. McCain, Sr.
John Sidney "Slew" McCain Sr. was a U.S. Navy admiral. He held several command assignments during the Pacific campaign of World War II....
, the grandfather of U.S. Senator John S. McCain III
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
(R-Ariz.).
During the 1930's, BuAer presided over rapid technological change in Naval aircraft. The bureau's policy was to limit its own production, in order to support the civilian aircraft industry. BuAer used the Naval Aircraft Factory
Naval Aircraft Factory
The Naval Aircraft Factory was established by the United States Navy in 1918 at Philadelphia in order to assist in solving the problem of aircraft supply which faced the Navy Department upon the entry of the U.S. into World War I...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, as a facility for building small numbers of prototype aircraft.
World War II and the postwar period
World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
brought immense changes as well. BuAer was forced to expand rapidly in order to comply with the nation's defense needs. By the war's end, the bureau had developed an administrative structure that oversaw thousands of personnel, and the procurement and maintenance of tens of thousands of aircraft. In 1943, the Navy established the position of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air, or DCNO(Air), a move which relieved some of BuAer's responsibility for Fleet operations. RADM McCain
John S. McCain, Sr.
John Sidney "Slew" McCain Sr. was a U.S. Navy admiral. He held several command assignments during the Pacific campaign of World War II....
, now promoted to Vice Admiral, was the first to fill the position.
BuAer downsized after the war, but continued its focus on aeronautical research and development. But as Naval technology became increasingly complex, it became clear that the Navy's material organization was insufficient. In particular, the Navy needed better integration of aerial weapons with Naval aircraft. There was also the question of "pilotless aircraft" (the ancestors of the late 20th century's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
s)—BuAer considered these to be aircraft, while BuOrd saw them as guided missiles.
To fix the problem, in 1959 the Navy merged BuAer and BuOrd to create the Bureau of Naval Weapons
Bureau of Naval Weapons
The Bureau of Naval Weapons was part of the United States Navy's material organization between 1959 and 1966, with responsibility for procurement and support of naval aircraft and aerial weapons. The bureau was established August 18, 1959, by an Act of Congress...
(BuWeps). This was only a temporary solution, however, and in 1966 the Navy undertook a wholesale revision of its material organization. The bureau system
United States Navy bureau system
The "bureau system" of the United States Navy was the Department of the Navy's material-support organization from 1842 through 1966. The bureau chiefs were largely autonomous, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Navy and managing their respective organizations without the influence of other...
, which had existed since the 1840s, was replaced with the "Systems Commands" (SYSCOMs). BuWeps was replaced with the current Naval Air Systems Command
Naval Air Systems Command
The Naval Air Systems Command provides material support for aircraft and airborne weapon systems for the United States Navy. NAVAIR was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons . Current Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, is Vice Adm. David Architzel since May...
(NAVAIR).
Chiefs of the Bureau of Aeronautics
- RADM William A. MoffettWilliam A. MoffettWilliam Adger Moffett was an American admiral notable as the architect of naval aviation in the United States Navy.-Biography:...
, July 26, 1921 – April 4, 1933 - RADM Ernest J. King, May 3, 1933 – June 12, 1936
- RADM Arthur B. Cook, June 12, 1936 – June 1, 1939
- RADM John H. Towers, June 1, 1939 – October 6, 1942
- RADM John S. McCainJohn S. McCain, Sr.John Sidney "Slew" McCain Sr. was a U.S. Navy admiral. He held several command assignments during the Pacific campaign of World War II....
, October 9, 1942 – August 7, 1943 - RADM Dewitt C. RamseyDeWitt Clinton RamseyAdmiral DeWitt Clinton Ramsey was a U.S. Navy officer and pioneer Naval aviator who served as an aircraft-carrier commander during World War II, notably at the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. Post-war assignments including command of the U.S...
, August 7, 1943 – June 1, 1945 - RADM Harold B. Sallada, June 1, 1945 – May 1, 1947
- RADM Alfred M. PrideAlfred M. PrideAlfred Melville Pride was a United States Navy admiral and pioneer Naval aviator, who distinguished himself during World War II as an aircraft-carrier commander....
, May 1, 1947 – May 1, 1951 - RADM Thomas S. Combs, May 1, 1951 – June 30, 1953
- RADM Apollo SoucekApollo SoucekApollo Soucek was a vice admiral in the United States Navy, who was a record-breaking test pilot during 1929-1930, served in World War II, and was commander of Carrier Division Three during the Korean War, ending his career as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics.-Biography:Soucek was born in...
, June 30, 1953 – March 4, 1955 - RADM James S. Russell, March 4, 1955 – July 15, 1957
- RADM Robert E. Dixon, July 15, 1957 – December 1, 1959