The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present its 2021 Reed Aeronautics Award to Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. He will be presented with the award—which is given “for the invention of advanced aerodynamic and structural techniques”—during AIAA’s Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala on August 12.

According to AIAA, the Reed award is the highest honor an individual can receive for a notable achievement in aeronautics that represents a significant engineering advancement milestone. “Fujino's clean-sheet aircraft design [for the HondaJet] introduced innovations in aviation technology, including the over-the-wing engine mount and natural laminar flow wing and fuselage,” AIAA said.

“Dr. Fujino's dedication to using cutting-edge aeronautical technologies to create new value in business aviation with the HondaJet is an inspiration to the global aerospace industry,” said AIAA president Basil Hassan. “Dr. Fujino's passion for innovation makes him a deserving recipient of this year's Reed Aeronautics Award.”

The Reed Aeronautics Award is named after Dr. Sylvanus A. Reed, the aeronautical engineer, designer, and founding member of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences in 1932. Past recipients of the award include Clarence Johnson for the SR-71, Ben Rich for the F-117, Preston Henne for the MD-80 and Gulfstream aircraft, and Bert Rutan for Voyager.