Erica Barnes

Erica Barnes serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8528 Aflcmc Wika, a critical unit of the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing the U-2 Dragon Lady high-altitude reconnaissance fleet. She manages complex acquisition programs centered on engineering services, aircraft component integration, and avionics modernization to ensure continuous operational readiness of classified ISR platforms. Her work directly supports the agency’s mission to extend the service life of legacy systems while integrating next-generation sensors and communication payloads, requiring deep technical understanding of aerospace systems lifecycle management and defense logistics. Barnes maintains a primary working relationship with The Boeing Company, which serves as the principal systems integrator and sustainment partner for U-2 platform upgrades and component replacements. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term, performance-based partnerships with prime contractors possessing proven expertise in military aerospace systems, often leveraging Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) and Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) contract structures to accommodate evolving technical requirements and urgent operational needs. Her procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting the specialized, classified nature of the missions and the limited industrial base capable of supporting high-altitude reconnaissance systems. There is no formal preference for 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, as the technical demands require certified Tier 1 aerospace manufacturers with Department of Defense clearance and specialized infrastructure. Barnes’ acquisitions are heavily concentrated in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) and 541330 (Engineering Services), with significant activity in aircraft manufacturing (336411) and communications equipment (334220). She procures mission-critical components including flight control systems, sensor interfaces, data link hardware, and embedded avionics, demonstrating deep domain expertise in airborne ISR sustainment and systems engineering for high-altitude, long-endurance platforms.