[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 136 (Friday, August 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING MR. RICHARD D. MILTON ON HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE HELLFIRE 
                                MISSILE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MO BROOKS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 16, 2019

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Richard D. Milton, a key contributor to the development of the Hellfire 
missile.
  In the 1960s, Mr. Milton worked with a team at the U.S. Army Aviation 
and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) on 
Redstone Arsenal to find practical uses for lasers in the medical and 
military fields. By 1965, Mr. Milton found a unique role for lasers on 
the battlefield, and that by illuminating a target with a laser, a 
missile could be guided to that target.
  In March of 1979, Richard Milton's invention, the Missile System 
Using Laser Illuminator, became U.S. Patent 4,143,835. U.S. Patents 
6,166,803, 6,296,803, and U.S. Patent 6,305,797 can also be attributed 
to Mr. Milton. The invention of laser guided missiles contributed to 
the creation of the Hellfire missile, and this revolutionized America's 
defense. The ability to be launched from various platforms, the use of 
missiles by military personnel under the protection of cover, the 
ability for long range and multiple launches, and accuracy of hit are 
all battlefield advantages of the Hellfire missile.
  Mr. Milton's coworkers often refer to him as ``Dick'' and speak 
highly of his brilliance and everyday problem-solving skills. Mrs. 
Debbee Jordan, a coworker, says, ``Working with Dick and watching how 
he thought and attacked each problem was a great gift for a just out of 
college engineer.''
  Madam Speaker, the new-age ideas Richard Milton offered in the 1960s 
revolutionized many U.S. ally's missile systems and the U.S. precision 
in missile defense we have today.
  I commend Mr. Richard D. Milton for his innovation and passion for 
public service to the American people.

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