Brandon E. Sweat
Director, Air Platforms and Weapons
Mr. Brandon “Brando” Sweat currently serves as Director for Air Platforms and Weapons within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition (ASD(A)), Platform and Weapons Portfolio Management. In this role, he is responsible for portfolio and acquisition management, policy, and investments in all Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft-related missions and capabilities to include strategic, air launched weapons, associated sensors and mission equipment. He influences a budget of over $100B in DoD investments and advises the Assistant Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to shape acquisition decisions.
Prior to his appointment into the Senior Executive Service in August 2024, Mr. Sweat served as the Air-Launched Weapons Portfolio Manager, within ASD(A)’s Platform and Weapons Portfolio Management. He oversaw all air-launched weapons programs; and worked closely with Services and DoD counterparts to assess acquisition implementation, provide support, advice, and recommendations for improvements or alternate approaches.
Mr. Sweat entered civilian service in 2009 as a System Development Engineer, AFLCMC Armament Directorate, Advanced Programs Division, at Eglin Air Force Base, where he led the Analysis of Alternatives and Material Development Decision for an ACAT 1 advanced weapon program. In 2010, he transitioned to Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Munitions Directorate as a Science and Technology Portfolio Manager in the Advanced Concepts Division where he managed multiple highly classified advanced weapon demonstration programs. In 2019, he moved back to AFLCMC Armament Directorate as the Deputy Program Manager of the ACAT 1 Stand-in Attack Weapon program, Agile Weapons Division. From 2021-2022 he served as the Production Lead for the ACAT 1 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, Long Range Systems Division.
Mr. Sweat is a 21-year Air Force veteran, entering active duty in 1987 after graduation from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was a distinguished graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1988, completed F-16 training in 1989, and United States Air Force Weapons School in 1996. He served as an F-16 instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, operational test pilot and Air Force Weapons School instructor at Moody AFB, GA, Osan AB, ROK, and Nellis AFB, NV. He flew combat missions during Operations DESERT STORM and SOUTHERN WATCH, earning multiple Air Medals for heroism in flight. He served as the Branch Chief, Advanced Weapons Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA where he provided requirements definition, CONOPs development, and bed down of a $10B advanced weapons portfolio. Mr. Sweat served as the 36th Fighter Squadron Commander and 51st Operations Group Deputy Commander at Osan AB, ROK, leading over 300 personnel in 3 squadrons of 56 combat aircraft in the defense of the Korean peninsula. Mr. Sweat retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008.
Mr. Sweat holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy; a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and a Master of Military Arts and Science from Air Command and Staff College at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. He also attended Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base; and Air War College at Langley Air Force Base. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Exemplary Civilian Service Awards in 2019 and 2022.