Lt Michael McClearn

Lt. Michael McClearn serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), overseeing the acquisition of advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance functional materials. He plays a critical role in translating laboratory innovations into operational capabilities by managing complex research and development contracts that support the Department of the Air Force’s mission to maintain air and space dominance. His acquisitions focus on fundamental and applied R&D initiatives, including adaptive flight control systems, thermal protection materials, and next-generation engine architectures, ensuring timely delivery of cutting-edge propulsion solutions to national defense programs. McClearn maintains sustained working relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES Inc., General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, technically intensive collaborations centered on proprietary materials development, propulsion system integration, and high-fidelity simulation tools. His procurement approach emphasizes technical excellence and performance-based outcomes, often involving cost-sharing arrangements and cooperative agreements to accelerate innovation cycles with industry partners. McClearn’s contracting portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise, particularly in domains requiring specialized aerospace engineering capabilities not widely available among small businesses. While socioeconomic set-asides are not utilized, his approach ensures competitive rigor and mission-critical performance through rigorous technical evaluation and source selection criteria. His primary procurement focus is under NAICS 541712, encompassing research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. He consistently procures advanced materials, propulsion system prototypes, computational fluid dynamics services, and high-temperature composite components, demonstrating deep expertise in hypersonics, propulsion physics, and materials science domains critical to next-generation air and space systems.