Dr. Terry Wilson

Dr. Terry Wilson serves as Program Manager within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where he leads the strategic acquisition and integration of advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance functional materials. Responsible for end-to-end contract execution, he manages complex R&D solicitations that bridge fundamental science and operational capability, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical propulsion innovations for U.S. air and space dominance. His portfolio primarily consists of cost-reimbursement and fixed-price incentive contracts for prototype development, systems integration, and materials characterization, aligning closely with the Air Force’s long-term propulsion modernization roadmap. Dr. Wilson maintains enduring partnerships with industry leaders including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships are characterized by sustained collaboration on multi-year research initiatives, often involving technical interchange meetings, joint prototyping, and transition pathways from lab to flight. He prioritizes vendors with proven expertise in propulsion system design, adaptive flight control, and advanced composite manufacturing, fostering a culture of technical rigor and accountability throughout the acquisition lifecycle. Dr. Wilson’s contracting activity reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside provisions. While he does not utilize socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, his approach emphasizes technical merit and mission readiness over socioeconomic criteria, ensuring that the most capable and experienced organizations—regardless of size or certification—are selected based on performance and innovation. His procurement activity is exclusively aligned with NAICS 541715, focusing on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. He procures advanced propulsion components, hypersonic test hardware, thermal protection systems, and high-temperature structural materials, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace propulsion cycles, combustion dynamics, and material behavior under extreme environments.