Mark Bateman

Major Mark Bateman serves as an Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering in the Department of Systems Engineering and Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), holding active-duty status in both the U.S. Air Force and Space Force with extensive Test & Evaluation experience.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering (2023) from Georgia Institute of Technology
• MS in Aerospace Engineering (2022) from Georgia Institute of Technology
• MS in Systems Engineering (2018) from Air Force Institute of Technology
• BS in Aerospace Engineering (2012) from University of Central Florida

Bateman's research integrates Generative AI and Large Language Models into systems engineering workflows, develops reinforcement learning frameworks for orbital warfare optimization, and advances space capability modeling for military campaign analysis. His work bridges theoretical AI methodologies with practical defense applications in contested space environments.

His recent publications establish the Reduced Order Non-INtrusive (RONIN) Modeling Methodology as a critical tool for military operations analysis, demonstrating how computational efficiency enables rapid scenario evaluation in complex warfare contexts.

Key recognitions include:

• Meritorious Service Medal (2020)
• Dean’s Award – Most Exceptional Master’s Thesis (2018)
• Air and Space Achievement Medal (2016)
• Test Engineer of the Year, 745 Test Squadron (2015)
• Army Achievement Medal (2014)

No publicly documented graduate student advising or research grants are available in current sources. Bateman's operational background spans the 586th Flight Test Squadron, 746th Test Squadron, and Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate before his 2021 transfer to the Space Force.