Rear Adm. Mathias Winter

Rear Adm. Mathias Winter was named head of the Naval Air System Command's (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)) during a change of command ceremony at Pax River last week.

Winter is the former commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division base in China Lake/Point Mugu, Calif.; he replaces Rear Adm. Bill Shannon, who is retiring after overseeing the office for four years. In his new role, Winter will manage a total obligation authority of more than $46 billion and lead a workforce of more than 3,800 individuals.

“Still at war, our nation faces daunting challenges across the political, military, economic, social, informational, infrastructure domains,” Winter said. “But we have a plan to tackle these challenges … This year, during this tour, my focus for PEO(U&W) builds upon that bridging and my strategic framework of people, organization and programs.”

Winter’s previous tours at NAVAIR include deputy program manager for the Tactical Tomahawk All-Up- Round (AUR) development program; chief of staff for PEO Tactical Aircraft (T); and Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) program manager.