From:https://dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/newhall-ca/norman-dyson-8821885
The Society [of Experimental Test Pilots] was saddened to learn of the "Last Flight" of Lt Col Ken Dyson, USAF (Ret) (F) on 15 August 2019. He was 81 years old.
Ken was born 13 February 1938 in Marshall, TX. After graduating from Texarkana Texas High School in 1956, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Texas A&M in 1960 and then a master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1971. He graduated from the USAF Test Pilot School in 1966, and was later an instructor at the school. Ken was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, spending 5 years as a tactical fighter pilot and 15 years as a military test pilot. He flew weapons development test at Eglin AFB on the F-100, F-101B and F-4 aircraft, and completed 2 combat tours in Southeast Asia flying the F-100 and F-4.
He served as a test pilot and CTF Director during the initial AFDT&E on the F-15, performing flying qualities, engine development, and all-weather tests during the initial AFDT&E program. He was the only Air Force pilot on two classified programs, where he participated in all flight test areas.
After retiring from the Air Force he joined Rockwell International as an engineering test pilot for eight years, and flew throughout the B-1B program. He flew the first flight X-31 Post Stall Aircraft and through its early testing. He flew the first flight X-31 Post Stall Aircraft and through its early testing. He retired from Rockwell as Chief Test Pilot and Director of Flight Test in 1993.
Ken received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award in 1989 (retroactive to 1979) for his work on the HAVE BLUE program, the proof of concept aircraft which led to the F-117. He received the Kincheloe Award again in 1996 (retroactive to 1982) for his work on the TACIT BLUE program. Ken is the only pilot to have flown both aircraft that are largely credited with giving birth to and validating the idea of stealth aircraft that could leave many radars blind to their presence.
Ken also received the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, nine air medals, was an Engineering Fellow of the University of Alabama, Distinguished Alumnus of the USAF Test Pilot School, was inducted into the Lancaster Aerospace Walk of Honor in 1997 and included in Aviation Week & Space Technology's Aerospace Laurels. Ken joined SETP in 1975, was upgraded to Fellow in 1990 and served as a SETP President in 1993. Ken is survived by his wife, Nina and children, Clay, Fred and Beth.
From http://airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/August%202019/Norman-Ken-Dyson-1938-2019.aspx
Norman “Ken” Dyson, an Air Force and civilian test pilot most noted for his
work on the “Have Blue” and “Tacit Blue” experimental stealth aircraft, died
Aug. 15 at 81.
A fighter pilot who became a test pilot, Dyson flew the F-100 and F-4 in the
Vietnam War, then returned to test work on weapons for the F-100, F-101, and
F-4. He became an instructor at the Air Force Test Pilot School and went on to
test the F-15 and serve as director of the F-15 Joint Test Force, then the Air
Force’s highest-priority combat aircraft program.
In 1976, Dyson began work on top-secret programs, including the Lockheed “Have Blue” stealth demonstrator that led to the F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack jet. Dyson was flying Have Blue No. 2 in July 1979 when an engine fire caused a violent oscillation of the fly-by-wire aircraft, forcing him to eject. The jet was destroyed but Dyson survived and went on to fly the Northrop “Tacit Blue.” Also known as the “Whale,” the aircraft tested radar and stealth technologies that lead to the B-2 Spirit.
Retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Dyson went to work for Rockwell (now part of
Boeing), and flew the B-1 bomber through much of its test program. He also flew
the X-31, a multinational project with Germany to explore post-stall flight,
vectored thrust, and tailless aircraft configurations. He retired from Rockwell
as its chief test pilot and director of flight test in 1993.
Dyson was born in Texas and earned his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical
engineering from Texas A&M University in 1960, first in his class. He earned his
master’s degree in aeronautical and control systems engineering from the
University of Alabama in 1971.
For his Air Force combat and test flying, Dyson received the Legion of Merit,
two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and nine Air Medals, among other
decorations.
A member and one-time president of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots,
Dyson was also named an Engineering Fellow of the University of Alabama,
Distinguished Aerospace Engineering Alumnus of the Texas A&M University, and a
Distinguished Alumnus of the USAF Test Pilot School.
Dyson received the SETP’s Iven C. Kincheloe award—its highest honor, awarded by peers—in 1989 for his work on Have Blue, and received it again in 1996 for his work on Tacit Blue (retroactive to 1982), when those programs were, respectively, declassified. In 1997, he was named to the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, Calif.