Mike Nicol

Senior Leader, Department of the Air Force (Retired)

Mr. Mike Nicol is an experienced engineer with over 40 years of experience in US Air Force (USAF) weapon systems and software acquisition where he established USAF software policy, processes, guidance, and training. As the USAF technical advisor for embedded computer systems software, he supported and collaborated with Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) (now AFLCMC); Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC); Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD); and other military services on software practices, technical studies, and evaluations to establish cost-effective solutions for weapon system programs. Mr. Nicol has led and/or supported independent technical reviews covering most systems in the USAF inventory and served as a member of the USAF Airworthiness Certification Board.

Significant Career Accomplishments

Led the USAF Software Intensive Systems Strategic Improvement Program (AFSSIP), which produced USAF software policy, the Air Force Weapon System Software Management Guidebook, and associated training.
Defined the USAF core software metrics, provided software consultation and guidance for multiple ASC acquisition programs, and institutionalized realistic, conservative software estimates to form the basis for lower risk acquisition programs that meet cost, schedule, and performance expectations.
Chaired and supported numerous independent technical reviews, for a range of programs including F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, B-2, B-52, C-17, C-130, U-2, Global Hawk, Predator/Reaper, and others.
Developed and delivered training that addressed airworthiness assessment for MIL-HDBK-516, Airworthiness Certification Criteria, Section 15 (Computer Resources) for multiple government and industry customers.

Key Positions

Technical Advisor, Embedded Computer Systems Software, ASC/EN (now AFLCMC/EZ)
Technical Advisor, Computer Systems and Software, ASC/ENAC (now AFLCMC/EZAS)
Technical Expert, ASC/ENC, ENAS & ENAC
Computer Systems Integration Engineer, ASC/YSE (B-2) (now AFLCMC/WWZ)

Education

MS, Computer Systems, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
BS, Electrical Engineering, Ohio Northern University