A method for forming a structure having lightning strike protection includes receiving at least one structural layer, receiving at least one lightning strike protection strip disposed on at least one reinforcement layer, automatically applying the at least one lightning strike protection strip disposed on the at least one reinforcement layer onto the at least one structural layer, and forming the at least one structural layer, the at least one lightning strike protection strip, and the at least one reinforcement layer, into the structure. The at least one lightning strike protection strip comprises a first material, and the at least one reinforcement layer comprises a second material different from the first material. The automatically applying may include using at least one of fiber placement equipment, tape laying equipment, and similar automated equipment.