Aerospace Advantage

In this episode, our team explores the top defense issues in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Topics include a defense budget update, the new National Defense Strategy, Department of the Air Force acquisition reforms, plus the latest in spacepower—everything from the SDA tracking layer to congestion with launch.

Global Reach, Global Power—you can’t exercise that without Air Force bombers. We explore the long-range strike mission with longtime B-1 pilot and recent 9th BS commander Lt Col Ryan “Duke” Stillwell.

The global security environment is near a fever pitch, but China remains the focal threat facing the United States. The dominant issue shaping that challenge is Taiwan. Join us for an in-depth assessment as Mitchell Institute’s Mike Dahm discusses his recent trip to the region.

Heather Penney explores collaborative mission autonomy with Steve Fino and Ryan Bunge of Collins Aerospace. This is the technology that teams a crewed aircraft with an uncrewed aircraft, which unlocks greater mission effects than what either plane could realize on its own.

Space superiority is essential to U.S. national security. Jennifer Reeves discusses her recommendations from her new policy paper, Charting a Path to Space Superiority: The Cross-Domain Imperative, with Director of Global Space Operations, Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir.

National Security Strategy, Air Mobility Command’s new airlift recap plan, and the new STRATCOM commander. Plus, CCAs, the biggest take aways for 2025, and what we predict will shape defense in 2026. 

Over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), and Kyle Pumroy share some of their most memorable experiences from their time in uniform.

Over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. Lt. Gen. David. A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Lt. Gen. Burton Field, USAF (Ret.), JV Venable, and Heather Penney share some of their most memorable experiences from their time in uniform.

We chat with Ace Colonel Chuck DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.) as he reflects upon Major Bob Lodge, a fighter pilot from the famed 555th Fighter Squadron who made the ultimate sacrifice over North Vietnam. Lodge developed cutting edge tactics, harnessed new technologies, and personally took the fight to the enemy in ways that were truly above and beyond.

The U.S. Air Force doesn’t have enough airlift. Today’s inventory is half the size of what it was in the Cold War, but current demands are far higher and more complex. This isn’t just an Air Force problem; it impacts the entire Department of War.

In this episode, our team explores the top defense issues in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Where do the defense bills stand? What’s up with the new Air Force fighter force structure report, plus Secretary of War Hegseth’s acquisition speech? We also explore Gen. Wilsbach’s new priorities, F-35s to Saudia Arabia, as well as Lt. Gen. White’s nomination for a new job as DRPM. The conversation also covers the Space Force, including Vector 2025, the creation of Combat Forces Command, and new developments regarding their test and validation requirements.

Now that space is a warfighting domain, the Space Force and Space Command must pursue capabilities and operational concepts that increase resilience and effectiveness.

Most of the Air Force’s aircraft are flying with engines designed during the Cold War. That’s why the service is pursuing a new generation of engines. We talk with Lt. Gen. Steve Shepro, USAF (Ret.) of Pratt and Whitney to learn more.

The Air Force is facing a readiness crisis, one that threatens our airmen’s ability to prevail in a peer conflict. That’s why live, virtual, constructive (LVC) training paired with advanced simulation is key to warfighter readiness and lethality. Heather “Lucky” Penney digs into this topic with CAE’s Nick “Master” Yates and Matt Martin.

Marine veteran Andrew Bain spent the past 30 years living and working in Ukraine. He and Adm. Ihor Voronchenko (Ret), former commander of the Ukrainian Navy, join hosts Heather "Lucky" Penney and Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) for an inside look at technical and tactical innovation in the fight for survival against Russian aggression.