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.
Sponsored by
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.
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.
John "Slick" Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Chris Stone; Lt Col Brandon "Coach" Davenport, former commander of the 2nd Space Warning squadron; and Dr. Davin Swanson, Chief Engineer with Raytheon Intelligence and Space about the threat posed by modern adversary missiles and key steps we need to pursue to defeat them.
John "Slick" Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Dan Rice; Ken Allen, previously with the China Aerospace Studies Institute; Gerald Brown of Valiant Integrated Services; and Thomas Shattuck of Perry World House to better understand the dynamics between China and Taiwan when it comes to contested air sovereignty.
John "Slick" Baum chats with Col Michael Bruno, Lt Col Scott McGuire, and Mitchell Institute’s Christopher Stone to explore the debate surrounding whether the nation requires a Space National Guard.
Ep. 80 - The Rendezvous
Congress, Ukraine, and China: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the defense bills moving through the House and Senate, with predictions regarding what Air Force priorities will win and lose. We also discuss the latest events that are occurring in Ukraine and we talk about a number of meetings Chinese leaders have been holding with Pacific island nations as they seek economic and military agreements.
John "Slick" Baum and Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret) chat with Air Vice Marshall Harv Smyth, Director of Space at the Ministry of Defence, to discuss the United Kingdom’s approach to national security issues on orbit.
John “Slick” Baum speaks with a seasoned remotely piloted aircraft operator—Brigadier General Houston Cantwell, who commands the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force—and an engineer who specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, Dr. Anastacia "Stacie" MacAllister of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to explore how AI can revolutionize airpower.
John “Slick” Baum talks to Lt Gen Gus Guastella, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and Maj Gen Jon Norman, USAF (Ret.) of Raytheon Technologies about where threats are driving next generation air-to-air missile requirements.
John “Slick” Baum talks to Sikorsky team members involved with developing and producing the next generation HH-60W combat search and rescue helicopter.