Edward C. Aldridge Jr. (born 1938) has served in many top U.S. Defense Department and defense industry jobs, including as the 16th Air Force secretary from June 1986 until 1988.

From 1988 to 1992, he was president of McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems Company , and later became CEO of The Aerospace Corporation .

Aldridge was confirmed as the the Pentagon's top weapons buyer on May 8, 2001. As defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics , he had responsibility for acquisition, research and development, logistics, advanced technology, international programs, environmental security, nuclear, chemical, and biological programs, and the industrial base.

Aldridge received a B.S. in aeronautical engineering from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1960 and an M.S. in the same subject from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

He served in a variety of jobs, including:

• adviser to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in Helsinki and Vienna
• senior manager with the LTV Aerospace Corp.,
• senior management associate in the Office of Management and Budget
• deputy assistant defense secretary for strategic programs
• vice president of national policy and strategic systems group for the Systems Planning Corp.
• Air Force undersecretary for guiding and supervising the National Reconnaissance Office and the Air Force space program

Aldridge was also selected as an astronaut trainee and was slated to fly as a payload specialist on the first planned mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The mission was cancelled because of the Challenger accident.

Other affiliations have included:

• president and fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
• member, Defense Science Board
• national director, Air Force Association
• member of the board of directors of the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation

His awards include the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award , the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award , and the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award .