Robert Couch

Background

About Robert Couch

GOAL: My goals and career are and have been focused on contributions to our national security,helping maintain our country's technological edge and creating a sustainable environment for future generations. SUMMARY: Robert Couch is a Vice President for Applied Research Associates (ARA) and a technical advisor to the Shock Physics Division. He joined ARA in 2004 and has nearly 45 years experience in management and technical direction in multidisciplinary fields. He is also experienced in nuclear weapons research and geotechnical laboratory projects, as well as conventional and mass destruction weapons programs. His career has been noteworthy for his rapid and successful adaptation to many diverse technical fields. He is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) Research and Development officer. He has led several large geologic and geophysical investigations at Enewetak Atoll for nuclear weapons effects of megaton yield weapons. When at the USAF Secretariat during the height of the Cold War, he was the programmatic and technical advocate for the nuclear earth penetrating weapon. As a subject mater expert throughout his career he has supported analysis, field ops, and laboratory efforts on many national intelligence gathering operations. He also has an extensive background in environmental studies and technological approaches to contamination and cleanup of weapon test sites. At ARA, he is currently leading a science and engineering team that is helping the Department of Defense evaluate the performance and weapons effects for various inventory and developmental weapons. As a active field geologist, he conducts cutting edge research investigating rock damage from various weapons effects. He holds, both, a BS and MS in Geology and is a registered Professional Geologist in Texas. An Eagle Scout, he continues to be an outdoor enthusiast.