Douglas Birkey explores the future of uncrewed combat aviation with Mike Atwood, Senior Director of Advanced Programs at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
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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.
In this episode we discuss the ascent of commercial capabilities to secure national security effects in, through, and by space. Douglas Birkey chats with Even Rogers, CEO of True Anomaly, a former Air Force weapons officer and a contributing author of the inaugural Space Force doctrine; Steve Kitay, Senior Director of Azure Space at Microsoft and a former Deputy Assist Secretary of Defense for Space Policy at DoD; and Mitchell Institute’s Tim Ryan.
John “Slick” Baum chats with longtime AFSOC pilot Col Sarah Brehm, veteran defense leader Mr. Jim “Hondo” Geurts, and AFSOC Special Tactics Officer Lt Col Steve Cooper about the United States Special Operations Command’s core values, what they call SOF Truths.
Ep. 131 - The Rendezvous
Defense and the Budget Deal, Hill Update, ANG Fighters, and Space Trends: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we explore the new budget deal and its implications for defense. We also talk about how Air Force and Space Force requests are faring on The Hill as the defense committees advance their annual authorization and appropriations bills. Our panelists also assess the legislation that was introduced by Rep Bacon (R-NE) regarding ANG fighter capacity and provide an update about the latest developments in Ukraine. We wrap with an update regarding national security space issues.
John Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), and Doug Birkey about building out Ukrainian airpower.
John Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Heather “Lucky” Penney about what it means to secure battlespace effects in the 21st century.
John Baum chats with Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) and Col Mark Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.) about the USAF’s newest combat aircraft, the B-21.
John Baum and Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), chat with one of the leading national authorities on defense, Representative Rob Wittman from the 1st District of Virginia.
John Baum discusses what happens when an F-35 rolls off the production line and executes its first flights with Lockheed Martin F-35 test pilot Tony “Brick” Wilson and J.R. McDonald, Vice President for F-35 Business Development.
Doug Birkey discusses a looming capacity cliff with Maj Gen Paul Rogers, the Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard; Brig Gen Tim Donnellan, Commander of the Idaho Air National Guard; along with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute.
The MISPACE Team chat about the 2nd Annual Spacepower Security Forum. From the Chief of Space Operations, Gen B. Chance Saltzman, talking about “Competitive Endurance” and Lt Gen Burt on the critical missile warning and tracking missions, to Maj Gen Miller discussing how to protect and defend space capabilities and more!
The war in Ukraine has turned the world’s attention to the game-changing potential of networked, autonomous drone technologies. But to what extent are the lessons learned from Ukraine relevant to the Indo-Pacific theater? John Baum chats with drone experts Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analysis and Mitchell Institute’s own Dr. Caitlin Lee.
Ep. 122 - The Rendezvous
Air and Space in the FY24 Defense Budget, China and Russia Update, and Fighters on the Brink: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss Congress’ reaction to the FY24 defense budget submission, with a special focus on air and space power. We explore China and Russia’s increasing alignment, plus the latest developments in Ukraine. We round out the conversation discussing key trends with the Air Force’s fighter inventories, along with hot button topics that will garner significant attention on Capitol Hill this year, like engine options for the F-35 and future tanker plans.
John “Slick” Baum talks with China expert Daniel Rice about how the Asian superpower is gaining increased influence around the globe.
There’s a lot to track: adversary threats in orbit, spacepower lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, the potential for a Space National Guard, commercial industry’s role in spacepower, and General Saltzman’s lines of effort for the Space Force.