THE former chief of the US Air Force Research Laboratory (ARFL) was conferred the Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Friday morning.

Mr McFawn was lauded for the facilitation of bilateral cooperation between AFRL and Singapore's defence technology agencies during his tenure as Executive Director from September 2003 to January last year. A three-year technology cooperation roadmap was one such joint project that benefits both air forces, expanding research and development cooperation between ARFL and Mindef.

The Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship was established in 1996 to recognise individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of Singapore's defence technology capabilities.

The award was conferred on Mr McFawn in recognition of his outstanding contributions in strengthening defence technology cooperation and fostering excellent defence ties between the US and Singapore, said a Mindef statement.