Michael A. Kilbourn

Michael A. Kilbourn serves as a key procurement professional within the Space Systems Command under the Department of the Air Force, overseeing the acquisition of advanced space technologies critical to national security. He manages a portfolio focused on research and development in physical and engineering sciences, ensuring the timely delivery of next-generation launch systems, space-based surveillance platforms, and on-orbit maneuvering capabilities. His work directly supports the Command’s mission to maintain U.S. dominance in the space domain through rapid innovation and resilient space architectures. Kilbourn specializes in complex, high-stakes R&D contracts requiring technical rigor, agile acquisition pathways, and strict compliance with defense acquisition regulations. Kilbourn maintains a consistent partnership with Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, a trusted vendor delivering specialized engineering solutions for space system development. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based collaborations with firms capable of integrating cutting-edge technologies into operational space architectures. These relationships are characterized by iterative prototyping, phased delivery, and technical risk mitigation, aligning with the Space Systems Command’s emphasis on speed and adaptability in space acquisition. He demonstrates a steadfast commitment to small business participation, with 100% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate innovation from emerging vendors with niche capabilities in aerospace systems, propulsion, and space situational awareness. His contracting approach prioritizes socioeconomic diversity, ensuring that small businesses play a central role in advancing critical space technologies. Kilbourn’s procurement activity is exclusively concentrated in NAICS 541715, focusing on research and development in physical and engineering sciences. He procures advanced space system components, including propulsion modules, autonomous on-orbit systems, sensor payloads, and ground-to-space communication interfaces. His expertise lies in acquiring technically complex, prototype-to-production solutions that bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and operational deployment in the space domain.