Podcast Episode 155

Evolution of Air Force Battle Management: Navigating Beyond JSTARS

In episode 155 of the Aerospace Advantage, Evolution of Air Battle Management: Navigating Beyond JSTARS, John “Slick” Baum talks to Mitchell Institute’s Doug Birkey and Lt Col Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis, a former JSTARS battle manager who currently serves as the Director of Plans at the 461st Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base.

JSTARS enabled Air Force battle managers to monitor surface targets, convert data into actionable insights, and exploit a comprehensive command and control system to make more effective decisions. This capability represented a fundamental transformation in modern combat operations. But given the JSTARS retirement, the Air Force is reshaping how it achieves these effects. The battle management mission will only become more vital as the Air Force moves toward more disaggregated operational concepts empowered by JADC2. This episode will explore this evolution and what it means for the future force.

Guests

Doug BirkeyExecutive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Maj Alex M. WallisAir Force Strategic Policy Fellow Alumni

Host

John BaumSenior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Credits

Producer
Shane Thin

Executive Producer
Douglas Birkey

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