Kerry Kearschner, Capt, USAF

Capt Kerry Kearschner serves as a key acquisition professional within the FA8808 Military Satellite Communications System Program Office, supporting the Department of the Air Force’s mission to develop and sustain resilient, protected satellite communication systems for strategic and tactical operations. Responsible for managing complex procurement cycles for next-generation Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS-G), Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS), and related space-based communication technologies, Capt Kearschner ensures acquisitions align with DoD standards for jam-resistance, encryption, and global operational continuity. Their work bridges advanced R&D and production-scale manufacturing to deliver secure, high-assurance SATCOM capabilities to warfighters across all domains. Capt Kearschner collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of defense prime contractors and specialized technology providers focused on military-grade communications hardware and software. While no single contractor dominates their portfolio, engagements typically involve firms with proven expertise in secure RF systems, quantum-resistant encryption, and space-qualified electronics. Relationships are characterized by long-term technical partnerships, iterative prototyping contracts, and phased development efforts under Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and traditional FAR-based acquisition pathways. Capt Kearschner’s contracting activity is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects the highly specialized nature of protected SATCOM systems, which require advanced technical capabilities typically found only among established defense contractors with top-secret clearances and space systems experience. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through socioeconomic set-asides, the office actively encourages innovation through SBIR/STTR programs and subcontracting opportunities within larger contracts. The procurement portfolio is evenly split between NAICS 541715 (R&D in physical and engineering sciences) and 334220 (wireless communications equipment manufacturing), underscoring a dual focus on cutting-edge research and production-scale deployment. Capt Kearschner specializes in acquiring advanced waveform technologies, hardened satellite terminals, ground control systems, and signal processing architectures essential to maintaining U.S. dominance in contested electromagnetic environments.