
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to present The Aerospace Advantage, with Heather ”Lucky” Penney as the host. Every week, Lucky takes 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.
Episodes

5 hours ago
5 hours ago
Episode Summary:
We’re bringing you a special edition of the Aerospace Advantage to discuss Saturday’s strike on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. Everyone has read the news by now—the story of the 7 B-2s flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, numerous aerial refuelings along the way, air superiority aircraft joining the raid, tomahawk missiles fired from a submarine, and significant support from space assets. This episode brings key insights and observations from our team members—each of whom brings unique operational experience to the mix. We discuss strategic context, the operational aspects of the mission, and how this raid should inform policy and budget objectives. We’ve heard enough from the talking heads…it’s time for airpower and spacepower practitioners to join the conversation.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
X: https://x.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Iran #MiddleEast #Nuclear #Bomber

3 days ago
3 days ago
Episode Summary:
This week we’re taking a deep dive into deterrence, specifically deterring China from using force in space. Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), in partnership with the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), just released a new report exploring this topic. Results suggest that the U.S. security establishment has serious room for growth. Their experts analyzed ten different factors that assessed how the U.S. can deter China, but only two were rated in a favorable light. The rest need more development. While conflict in space is not inevitable, the folks at CNA and CASI found that we’ve got a long way to go when it comes to boosting our ability to deter conflict on orbit.
To help us understand the report, its findings, and its recommendations, Charles Galbreath and Jennifer Reeves of the Mitchel Institute chat with Dr. Kevin Pollpeter of CASI, plus Dr. April Herlevi and Elizabeth Barrett of CNA.
Credits:
Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)
Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)
Guest: Dr. Kevin Pollpeter, Director of Research, China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI)
Guest: Dr. April Herlevi, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Naval Analysis
Guest: Elizabeth Barrett, Project Manager, China & Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Center for Naval Analysis
Read:
Deterring China's Use of Force in the Space Domain
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
X: https://x.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Space

Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Quadcopters Do Not Redefine Air Superiority: They Redefine Land Warfare — Ep. 240
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Episode Summary:
Combat operations in Ukraine and the Red Sea clearly demonstrate the impact of small lethal drones as portable precision-guided munitions. Some have suggested that their use has made such a change in the character of war that a new category of airspace must be introduced. Casting it as the “air littoral,” they claim the military should move beyond traditional notions of air superiority. Others recognize the significance of lethal drones have their greatest impact on traditional infantry and armor operations. Lt. Gen. Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Lt. Col. Grant Georgulis, and Heather "Lucky" Penney dive into an incredibly insightful discussion on these volatile topics.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Lt Col Grant "SWAT" Georgulis, Air Force Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AirSuperiority #Airpower

Saturday Jun 07, 2025
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Heather "Lucky" Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, and Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
They unpack how the FY26 defense budget is unfolding—what is good and where is it falling short? The factors involving reconciliation versus the standard budget are throwing in some unpredictable factors to consider. They also discuss Golden Dome from a challenges and opportunities perspective. Past that, news coverage suggests that E-7 might be on the chopping block. Are we ready for a set of capabilities that are entirely space-based? Our experts also discuss a broad range of spacepower developments, plus they evaluate Ukraine’s novel strike on Russian bombers. Join us to learn about the latest when it comes to air and space power!
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)
Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Read:
1. Air Force and Space Force Vectors for the Incoming Trump Defense Team
2. Want Combat Airpower? Then Fix the Air Force Pilot Crisis
3. Air Force Reserve faces steep fighter cuts, uncertain future
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #TheHill #Rendezvous #Budget

Saturday May 31, 2025
Episode 238 - Logistics While Under Attack: Key to a CCA Force Design
Saturday May 31, 2025
Saturday May 31, 2025
Episode Summary:
With threats surging around the world, the Air Force must figure out how to reset and do it fast. They can’t just buy more of what the service fielded in past decades. Fighting and winning tomorrow will require new operational concepts and technologies that’ll give airmen an edge.
That’s where CCA come into the mix. They’re designed to bring new capabilities, more capacity, and empower new ways of fighting. But just like the rest of the Air Force aircraft inventory, just buying CCA won’t be enough. Credible, sustainable combat air forces require logistics—personnel, fuel, munitions, ground handling equipment, and other materiel—to generate sorties at scale. Mitchell Institute executed a major exercise in 2024 looking at logistical requirements for CCA—to assess challenges and opportunities. This involved operators, industry, planners, and logisticians. We recently released the report. Join us as we hear from report author Col Mark Gunzinger along with workshop participants Robert “Otis” Winkler of Kratos, Andrew “Scar” VanTimmeren of Anduril, and Scott “Fug” Gilloon of General Atomics.
Credits:
Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Robert “Otis” Winkler, Vice President, Corporate Development and National Security Programs, Kratos
Guest: Andrew “Scar” VanTimmeren, Director of Air Dominance Systems, Anduril
Guest: Scott “Fug” Gilloon, Sector Vice President of Air Force Strategic Development and Capability Assessments, General Atomics
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #CollaborativeCombatAircraft #CCA #Leadership

Saturday May 24, 2025
Episode 237 — Want Next Gen Electronic Attack? Better Invest in Operational Analysis
Saturday May 24, 2025
Saturday May 24, 2025
Episode Summary:
Fighting and winning in the twenty first century requires next gen electronic attack capabilities. Designing that technology and developing effective concepts of operation demands operational analysis. Heather Penney discusses this reality with Lt Gen David “Kooler” Krumm, USAF (Ret.) of BAE Systems.
It comes down to empowering strategists, operational leaders, and technology experts to better understand how these functions can best empower overarching tactics, techniques, procedures, and investment decisions. Electronic attack is an incredibly complex, multi-dimensional capability. It’s not binary—like a light switch that’s on or off. Instead, there are incredibly nuanced effects in play, especially if various mission systems are brought together in a collaborative fashion. Major shortfalls exist in this area and it’s time to lean into developing the operational analysis required to ensure the U.S. maintains its electronic attack advantage.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Gen David "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.), Vice President, Mission Integration, BAE Systems
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #ElectronicAttack #EMSO #Leadership

Saturday May 17, 2025
Saturday May 17, 2025
Episode Summary:
Join us to learn more about the latest developments in Chinese airpower and spacepower developments. Heather Penney and Mike "JDAM" Dahm discuss a wide range of topics, including an update on China’s 6th generation fighters and recent PLA exercises in the Taiwan Strait. They discuss what is happening with more missing PLA generals and dynamics between Xi Jinping and Vladamir Putin. The INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo just testified on the Hill about China’s military and the PLA just released a new national security white paper. We also explore Chinese fighter performance in the recent conflict between Pakistan and India.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
X: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Russia

Saturday May 10, 2025
Episode 235 — Understanding the CCA Edge: Innovators’ Insights
Saturday May 10, 2025
Saturday May 10, 2025
Episode Summary:
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) stand forth as one of the most important airpower developments of the twenty-first century. We learn more about CCA by talking to two of the people involved with developing and building them: Mike Atwood from General Atomics and Andrew “Scar” Van Timmeren of Anduril.
CCA’s ability to harness the traditional attributes of range, speed, survivability, and a broad range of mission effects with the power of autonomy, artificial intelligence, and manned-unmanned teaming will yield an incredibly powerful tool for airmen and the broader joint military enterprise. We explain this technological journey, explore where the program currently stands, and discuss the pathway for production, test, and initial operational fielding.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Michael Atwood, Vice President, Advanced Programs, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Guest: Andrew "Scar" Van Timmeren, Senior Director - Air Dominance Systems, Anduril Industries
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #CCA #Autonomy

Saturday May 03, 2025
Saturday May 03, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond.
Topics include the latest defense budget plus-up via reconciliation and what this means for air and space power. We also discuss INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo’s testimony regarding airpower gaps in the Pacific and Lockheed’s new vision for the F-35 in the wake of Boeing winning the F-47 competition. The team explores two of the Space Force’s new foundational documents: Space Force Doctrine Document 1 and Space Warfighting, a Framework for Planners. The conversation also explains why it’s so consequential that Michigan is going to see the F-15EX, the importance of a new electronic warfare squadron that opened at Eglin AFB, and why it’s a big deal that a new weather capability is now operational in space. Join us to learn more about these topics and more.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)
Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International
Guest: Guest: Jeff "Rowli" Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International
Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #Politics

Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Episode 233 — Securing Air and Space: Allied Insights
Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Episode Summary:
France is America’s oldest ally. We’ve been through a lot: the American Revolution over 250 years ago, two World Wars, and ongoing worldwide military operations. Our two nations have stood side by side when it mattered most. This connection endures.
These days, it’s more important than ever, considering China’s rise, Russia’s aggression in Europe, and other elements of instability we see around the globe. A key component of this security relationship depends on robust aerospace power. Modern military operations don’t work without mastering these domains. Our adversaries know this, and that’s why they’re working hard to challenge us in these realms. Heather Penney discusses these variables with Brig Gen Nicolas Chambaz, the leader charged with overseeing international relations for the French Air and Space Force headquarters. He’s a career pilot with over 4,000 flight hours under his belt, including 50 combat operations. In particular, we explore the French Air & Space Force’s latest Strategic Vision, The Sky as a Battlefield.
Credits:
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), The Air & Space Forces Association
Guest: Brig Gen Nicolas Chambaz, General Officer "International Relations" of the Air and Space Force
Read:
The Sky as a Battlefield Document
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Vietnam #POW #History