The aerospace sector is facing significant turbulence. Surging demand for military recapitalization after a multi-decade drought, a commercial segment ravaged by COVID, new entrants in the UAV and space sector, and competition for talent from the tech world is making for a very challenging set of dynamics. This episode will assess the health of this sector and steps that can be taken to ensure the long-term viability of this capability and capacity.
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Every week, Heather “Lucky” Penney will take listeners into the world of aerospace power and help the audience understand what it takes to fly and fight in the sky, while also protecting America’s interests in space. Whether talking to top generals, standing on a flight line full of combat aircraft, looking at a rocket being prepared for launch, or hearing from those who have laid it all on the line in defense of the nation—this podcast will afford unprecedented access and insight into where the combat aerospace community is going and why.
Without modernizing our geriatric Air Force and building it to the capacity required by our national defense strategy, the U.S. is a great risk of losing its next major conflict. John Baum chats with Mitchell team members Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret.), and Mark Gunzinger to understand why America’s Air Force is stretched to the brink.
Ep. 96 - The Rendezvous
ACC on Fighters, a New Air Mobility Manifesto, and the Latest on Ukraine: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we cover Air Force and Space Force leader remarks from the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, the technology trends observed at the conference, the latest regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and what’s set for the Washington agenda this coming month.
In the final episode of our three-part series, Heather Penney and Caitlin Lee of the Mitchell Institute, Mike Benitez of Shield AI, and Brett Darcey of Heron Systems go into detail on what success looks like going into the future from both a human and technological set of vantages.
In the second episode of our three-part series, we define key aspects and nuances surrounding this technology, while also working to add clarity between realistic expectations and what will likely remain aspirational for the long term.
In the first episode of our three-part series, we talk about the necessity of pursuing increased autonomy in combat aircraft.
Ep. 92 - The Rendezvous
A World on Fire, Reducing Civilian Casualties, and a Washington Update: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we explore Washington’s latest moves regarding Ukraine, take-aways from the recent flare up in the Taiwan Strait, whether DoD’s plan to reduce civilian casualties will work, and whether “divesting to invest” is succeeding when it comes to modernizing the Air Force aircraft inventory.
John Baum and Mitchell Institute’s Heather Penney are joined by Dr. Max Perez, an engineer at Cold Quanta, and Dr. Andrei Shkel, a professor of engineering at UCI, to demystify Quantum technology and understand how it applies to future defense applications.
Douglas Birkey is joined by Brian Hart from the Center for Strategic and International Studies' China Power Project; Thomas Corbett from Bluepath Labs; and Dan Rice, Mitchell Institute’s Research Analyst, to discuss what we can learn from China's recent military activity around Taiwan and the broader international response.
John Baum engages with one of the industry teams involved with designing, building, and testing next generation hypersonic strike technologies. This episode provides an inside perspective regarding what it’s like to be on this journey, better understand the technology, the people behind these efforts, and why it’s so important hypersonics enter America’s operational arsenal as soon as possible.
Ep. 88 - The Rendezvous
Congress’ View on Air Force Modernization, Nukes, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we talk about the defense bills moving through the House and Senate. We focus on the future of the F-22, the Hill’s stance on F-35, whether the Air Force’s attempt to pursue “divest to invest” is working, support for the nuclear triad, and Congress’ thoughts on sending airpower to Ukraine. We also introduce two new voices to the Rendezvous team that you’ll hear from monthly: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski and Todd “Sledge” Harmer.
John "Slick" Baum and Doug Birkey talk to us about what it’s like to participate in the annual fly-in at Oshkosh. They also catch up with Rain, who flew as an F-16 demo pilot in past AirVentures and learn about what goes into that sort of performance.
John “Slick” Baum is joined by John “JV” Venable of the Heritage Foundation, former commander in the Thunderbirds, and Caroline “Blaze” Jensen, former right wing in the Thunderbirds, to reflect upon their years as members of the Air Force’s famed aerial demonstration unit.
John "Slick" Baum chats with Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger and Chris “Jekyll” Brunner of the Mitchell Institute team about the future of the long range strike mission. This episode seeks to provide insight into the thinking that shaped the B-21 into the aircraft that will meet America’s long range strike requirements for tomorrow and beyond.
The US Air Force may have the best warfighting aircraft in the world, but these capabilities won’t mean much if we can’t keep them resupplied. John "Slick" Baum chats with C-17 pilot Lt Col Josh Holaday about what it will take to sustain combat operations in the Pacific.