Robert F. Behler

Aviation & National Security Expert; Retired Major General, U.S. Air Force; Former Director of Operational Test & Evaluation at the Pentagon; SR-71 Blackbird Pilot

Portland, ME, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Adventure, Adventure, Business Leadership, Innovation, Inspirational, Military, Motivational, Research & Exploration, Science, Security & Defense, Space, Strategic Leadership, Veterans
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Robert F. Behler Biography

Major General Robert F. Behler (Ret.) is recognized for his career as an experimental test pilot and SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Behler entered the Air Force as a graduate of the ROTC program and later graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. Over a 31-year military career, he accumulated more than 5,000 flying hours across a wide range of platforms. As an experimental test pilot, he flew more than 65 aircraft types and conducted worldwide reconnaissance missions in the SR-71 Blackbird. He served as SR-71 aircraft commander and operations officer with the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, and as SR-71 deputy commander for operations at RAF Mildenhall, England. Behler commanded the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, the 9th Operations Group, and the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, and served as Principal Adviser for Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. His international assignments included serving as Deputy Commander for NATO Joint Headquarters North in Stavanger, Norway. He retired as a Major General.

After his military service, Behler held leadership roles in defense research and technology. He served as General Manager at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and as General Manager and Senior Vice President of MITRE Corporation, overseeing more than 2,500 technical staff across 65 locations. He was President and CEO of SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development corporation focused on radar, electronic warfare, and cybersecurity technologies, and later became Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director of Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center specializing in software development and cybersecurity.

Behler was appointed Director of Operational Test and Evaluation at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, serving as senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Congress on operational and live fire test and evaluation of Department of Defense weapon systems. During his tenure, he contributed to the release of a Science and Technology Plan that influenced the direction of defense test and evaluation. Behler has participated in National Research Council studies for the National Academy of Sciences and received the Walter Hollis Award for Lifetime Contributions and Achievement in Defense Test and Evaluation from the National Defense Industry Association. His military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, and the Norwegian National Defense Medal.

Behler is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Oklahoma, an MBA from Marymount University, and completed a National Security Fellowship at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. Behler is a public speaker on aviation, hypersonic technology, national security, and defense innovation, including presentations on his experiences flying the Mach 3+ SR-71 Blackbird. He appears as a character in the Tom Clancy novel "Weapons Grade," in which his alter ego pilots the SR-71 Blackbird as a safety chase aircraft for a hypersonic weapons platform.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/09/2026.

Robert F. Behler Speaking Topics

  • The Future of Aviation

    When I was 16 years old, I was fortunate to be on a professional power boat racing team in central New York. It didn’t take me long to realize that the two things I loved most were loud noise and speed. About 16 years later I was the pilot of the fastest airplane in the world, the SR-71 Blackbird. To get to that point in my career was not trivial; received a MS in Aerospace Engineering, graduated from USAF pilot training and was a distinguished graduate from the USAF Test Pilot School before being selected to fly the Blackbird. During that journey I observed and helped shape the future of aviation. Airplanes are fast, but technology is moving faster. Aviation, commercial and military needs to keep up. Today aircraft are defined by software, but it is the least understood system. Humans have an insatiable appetite to fly faster. Physics explains that the faster an airplane flies the hotter the skin temperature becomes. For example, when I flew the SR-71 at Mach 3+ the skin temperature was about 700 degrees F. At Mach 5 the skin temperature will approach 2500 degrees F. Propulsion systems, heat resistant materials, navigation and autonomy are technological challenges that will need to be solved before commercial and military aircraft can routinely fly safely at near hypersonic speeds. This presentation addresses possible futures for aviation. The presentation is well suited for major corporations developing business strategies, college graduate inspirational seminars, aerospace startup companies, and keynote presentations.

  • Speed is Life

    As the youngest professional boat racer in New York at ages 15-17 I knew there was two things in life I love more than anything else, speed and loud noise. Who would have predicted that 17 years later I would be seating in the world fastest, highest fling aircraft in the world, the SR-71 Blackbird about to take off on a Top-Secret mission that had the President of the United States kind interest. This presentation takes the audience on that journey.

    The presentation addresses some of the aircraft develop but focus on the atypical path that I had to take to reach this world class accomplishment. There are far fewer pilots who have flown the SR-71 than astronauts who have been in space. I was a three-time astronaut candidate. The Challenge tragedy set that ambition aside. I was in the astronaut candidate cohorts with many of the Challenge crew.

    This presentation will make you feel proud to be an American and inspire you to pursue your dreams. "

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Robert F. Behler Videos

The Hermeus Podcast 09 – Flying the SR-71 “Blackbird”

The Hermeus Podcast 09 – Flying the SR-71 “Blackbird”

The SR-71 “Blackbird” is a legendary aircraft. It remains the world’s fastest airplane – a title it has held since the 60s. In this special...

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Development Planning: A Strategic Approach to Future Air Force Capabilities
Development Planning: A Strategic Approach to Future Air Force Capabilities
Achieving Effective Acquisition Of Information Technology In The Department Of Defense
Achieving Effective Acquisition Of Information Technology In The Department Of Defense
Critical Code: Software Producibility for Defense
Critical Code: Software Producibility for Defense

  • How do I book Robert F. Behler to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Robert F. Behler

    Speaking fees for Robert F. Behler, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Robert F. Behler are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Robert F. Behler, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Robert F. Behler speak about?

    Robert F. Behler is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Adventure, Business Leadership, Innovation, Inspirational, Military, Motivational, Research & Exploration, Science, Security & Defense, Space, Strategic Leadership, Veterans

  • Where does Robert F. Behler travel from?

    Robert F. Behler generally travels from Portland, ME, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Robert F. Behler for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Robert F. Behler for your next private or corporate function.

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Robert F. Behler is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Future of Aviation, Speed is Life and SR-71 Diplomacy, Enforcing US Foreign Policy from the Edge of Space. The estimated speaking fee range to book Robert F. Behler for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Robert F. Behler generally travels from Portland, ME, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Karen Baetzel, Sylvia Acevedo, Olga Custodio, Aprille Ericsson and Amelia Rose Earhart. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Robert F. Behler for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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