Steve Cricchi assumed the role of deputy commander for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, on February 26, 2026, succeeding Tom Rudowsky, who retired on March 2 after serving in the position.
Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty IV, NAVAIR commander, announced the transition, elevating Cricchi from his prior role as executive director of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) since July 2021. As the senior civilian leader reporting directly to the commander, Cricchi now serves as principal adviser on corporate planning, strategic direction, resource management, and program support for naval aviation’s integrated warfighting capabilities. NAVAIR’s workforce exceeds 30,000 military and civilian personnel across eight primary sites, driving research, development, test and evaluation, acquisition, in-service support, and aircraft/weapons sustainment.
Dougherty praised Cricchi’s track record. “Throughout his career, Steve has been a trusted executive leader across engineering, cyber warfare, business operations, workforce management, and digital modernization,” Dougherty said. “He is widely respected for his focus on accountability, technical rigor, and mission outcomes, and for building high-performing teams that deliver results at scale. I am confident Steve will play an instrumental role as deputy commander by advancing NAVAIR’s mission, strengthening enterprise integration, and accelerating the decisions and behaviors that deliver capability, readiness, and trust to the fleet.”
Cricchi expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “I’m excited to partner with Adm. Dougherty,” he said. “He and I are excellent partners together … Being able to shape how [NAVAIR] is going to operate in support of these fleet outcomes is really what is bringing me to work every day in this job. I’m excited for what NAVAIR is going to bring to warfighting outcomes.”
At NAWCAD, Cricchi led more than 10,000 personnel across four sites in Patuxent River, Maryland; Lakehurst, New Jersey; Orlando, Florida; and China Lake, California. He managed RDT&E, acquisition, and sustainment for naval aviation, supporting program executive officers with disciplined lifecycle execution. His efforts accelerated the delivery of fleet capabilities through technical expertise, business flexibility, and industry partnerships, overseeing 400+ laboratories/facilities, 200+ manned/unmanned RDT&E aircraft, and an annual revenue of over $5 billion.
Cricchi previously directed NAVAIR’s Engineering & Cyber Warfare Group from September 2019 to July 2021, setting engineering policy, standards, and oversight for aircraft/weapons systems while advancing digital/IT initiatives, including cybersecurity, airworthiness, and mission engineering.
From June 2015 to August 2019, as assistant commander for Corporate Operations and Total Force, he managed command-wide business functions: administration, human resources, IT, security, public affairs, financial management, and infrastructure.
Earlier, from November 2005 to May 2015, he directed Integrated Systems Evaluation, Experimentation and Test, supervising 3,000+ flight test professionals, two test air wings with 200 aircraft, and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
Cricchi entered the Senior Executive Service in March 2005 as the inaugural director for Flight Test Engineering and chief flight test engineer for naval aviation. His career includes roles as deputy director for Test and Evaluation Engineering, chief test engineer for Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (VX-23), and flight test engineering on T-45A Goshawk, AV-8B, and T/AV-8B Harrier II.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia (1985) and is a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (Class of 1997).
The transition supports NAVAIR’s critical role in Southern Maryland’s economy and defense ecosystem, where NAS Patuxent River serves as headquarters for naval aviation RDT&E. Local coverage has tracked Cricchi’s contributions, including his 2021 appointment to NAWCAD executive director and appearances at regional events like the Patuxent Partnership’s 2025 Defense Summit.
