Lt Col Brandon Castillo, ML

Lt. Col. Brandon Castillo, ML, serves as a key contracting professional within the FA8810 Space Sensing Squadron, supporting the Department of the Air Force’s mission to develop and field next-generation space-based sensing systems for missile warning, space situational awareness, and overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) battlespace monitoring. He manages complex research and development acquisitions focused on resilient Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) architectures and advanced sensor integration, ensuring the Department maintains operational advantage in contested orbital domains. His portfolio centers on high-technical-risk, mission-critical contracts that bridge innovation with rapid fielding, often involving prototype development, systems engineering, and test and evaluation services for space sensor payloads and ground segment modernization. Castillo works closely with a diverse set of prime contractors specializing in aerospace defense, space systems integration, and advanced signal processing, including established defense primes and emerging space technology firms with proven capabilities in infrared detection, orbital analytics, and secure data fusion. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, collaborative prototyping, and agile acquisition pathways such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and SBIR/STTR transitions to accelerate capability delivery. His contracting activity shows no use of socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting a mission-driven prioritization of technical capability and schedule certainty over socioeconomic preferences. This aligns with the urgency of the space sensing mission and the limited pool of qualified vendors with the necessary clearance levels and orbital domain expertise. Castillo’s primary focus is on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he procures advanced sensor technologies, algorithm development for space object tracking, MEO constellation management software, and secure command and control systems. His domain expertise lies in OPIR architecture modernization, space-based missile tracking, and resilient space sensor networks designed for anti-access/area denial environments.