Emily Burghardt

Emily Burghardt serves as a key procurement professional within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), supporting the acquisition and lifecycle sustainment of advanced naval aviation systems. She plays a critical role in executing complex contracts for guided missile systems, space vehicle components, and associated engineering services that enable air superiority and expeditionary readiness for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Her work centers on high-stakes, technically demanding acquisitions involving cutting-edge avionics, weapon integration, and mission-critical logistics infrastructure, ensuring alignment with NAVAIR’s strategic modernization goals and operational readiness imperatives. She maintains consistent, long-term contracting relationships with industry leaders including Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and General Atomics, partnering with prime contractors who deliver integrated aerospace and defense systems. These collaborations typically involve multi-year, performance-based contracts for development, testing, and sustainment of next-generation platforms such as unmanned aerial systems, precision-guided munitions, and carrier-based aircraft upgrades. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, risk mitigation, and seamless integration of contractor capabilities into naval aviation ecosystems. Burghardt’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on mission-critical capabilities that require specialized technical expertise and scale. While small business participation is not structurally prioritized in her portfolio, her acquisitions remain compliant with all federal procurement regulations and prioritize capability over socioeconomic categorization. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing) and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting deep expertise in missile systems design, propulsion integration, avionics architecture, and systems engineering support. She routinely procures advanced defense technologies requiring rigorous certification, test validation, and supply chain resilience, positioning her at the intersection of national security and high-performance aerospace innovation.