Francis Feldmann

Francis Feldmann serves as Program Manager within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where he leads the acquisition and technical integration of advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance functional materials. Responsible for translating laboratory innovations into operational capability, Feldmann manages complex research and development contracts that bridge fundamental science with flight-ready prototypes. His portfolio emphasizes mission-critical propulsion advancements, adaptive flight control systems, and next-generation thermal management materials, ensuring alignment with the Air Force’s strategic imperatives for air and space dominance. Feldmann maintains consistent partnerships with industry leaders including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships reflect a focus on Tier 1 defense contractors and specialized materials innovators capable of delivering high-fidelity R&D solutions under stringent aerospace standards. His procurement approach prioritizes technical excellence, rapid prototyping cycles, and systems integration expertise, fostering long-term collaboration with vendors possessing deep domain knowledge in propulsion physics, hypersonic aerodynamics, and advanced composite manufacturing. Feldmann’s contracting activity exhibits a 100% preference for non-set-aside procurements, indicating a strategic emphasis on technical capability over socioeconomic classifications. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in his portfolio, his acquisitions remain open to all qualified offerors, with selection driven solely by technical merit, past performance, and systems engineering readiness. His primary procurement focus is NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing experimental propulsion testing, computational fluid dynamics modeling, and novel material characterization. Feldmann’s expertise lies in acquiring cutting-edge engineering services that enable breakthroughs in scramjet design, additive manufacturing of metallic alloys, and thermal protection systems for extreme-environment flight regimes.