User:DevaCat1/Bernard O'Kane

Dr Bernard John O'Kane CBE (26 July 1912-24 October 1997) was a British electrical engineer who was involved in the development of airborne radars during World War 2, and in later years was the founding Chairman of EUROCAE, the President of the Electronics Engineering Association, and Chairman of GEC Electronics from 1971-82. He was made CBE in the 1974 New Year's Honours.

Early life
O'Kane was born on the Wirral in Cheshire in 1912.

During World War 2, Dr O'Kane he worked under Bernard Lovell at the Telecommunications Research Establishment on the development of H2S and ASV3, early radar systems, culminating in the introduction of H2S into the Path Finder Force of Bomber Command and into Coastal Command to combat the growing U-Boat threat.

In 1941/42 Dr O'Kane was involved in a project for TRE in developing radar systems such that they could be fitted to Blenheim bombers to enable them to perform as night fighters. These experiments were successful, and led to the development of the Beaufighter heavy night fighter.

Dr O'Kane was one of the architects of European Organisation for Civil Aviation Electronics (EUROCAE), which was formed in 1963 to provide a co-ordinating body for European aviation electronics, both manufacturers and users. Dr O'Kane was the inaugural steering Committee chairman, remaining Chairman until 1966, and was subsequently its President from 1966-68.

In 1969, Dr O'Kane was appointed as Managing Director of Marconi-Elliott Avionic Systems Ltd (MEASL), one of the four subsidiaries of GEC-Marconi. In 1972 he became Chairman of MEASL.

He was awarded a CBE in the 1974 New Year Honours List.

Personal life
In 1986, Dr O'Kane was Captain of the Aero Golfing Society.