For leadership in engineering design and construction of SpaceShipOne, Voyager, and other successful experimental aircraft.
For his significant and enduring contributions to education, aerodynamics, and aircraft design, including the optimal Sears-Haack body and the original Northrop flying wing.
For his major contributions to aeronautics, including his supersonic area rule, discovery of the value of wing sweep in attaining supersonic flight, and application of the Heaviside Calculus to flight dynamics.
For his bold and farsighted leadership, which has enabled this nation to maintain and enhance its preeminence in commercial aircraft.
For his distinguished and pioneering contributions in engineering design and development of advanced military and commercial aircraft.