Katherine Struck

Katherine Struck serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8621 Aflcmc Wnsk Sims, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing advanced aircrew training systems and mission-critical avionics infrastructure. She manages the acquisition lifecycle for high-performance aircraft components and synthetic training environments, ensuring operational readiness across the U.S. Air Force fleet. Her work centers on complex, technical contracts for integrated avionics, simulation hardware, and embedded logistics systems that directly support pilot and maintenance crew proficiency. Struck’s portfolio emphasizes mission-critical procurements requiring stringent compliance with military specifications and rapid technology insertion cycles. She maintains a primary contracting relationship with Lockheed Martin Corporation, a principal systems integrator for next-generation aircrew training platforms and embedded avionics. Her procurement approach reflects a long-standing, trust-based partnership with this prime contractor, characterized by collaborative requirements development, performance-based contracting, and iterative technology upgrades. While Lockheed Martin is the dominant awardee, her process remains competitive and transparent, ensuring alignment with Air Force modernization timelines and technical standards. Struck’s contracting activity shows no preference for socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven prioritization of technical capability and operational urgency over socioeconomic preferences, consistent with the high-stakes nature of aircrew training systems. Small business participation is not formally incentivized in her portfolio, as the complexity and scale of required systems typically necessitate large-tier defense contractors with specialized aerospace manufacturing capabilities. Her primary focus is on NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—encompassing synthetic training devices, mission computer modules, flight simulator interfaces, and auxiliary avionics subsystems. She specializes in procuring technically sophisticated, DoD-certified hardware and software-integrated systems that must meet rigorous environmental, electromagnetic, and safety standards for use in high-performance aircraft environments.