The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to present The Aerospace Advantage, with former Air Force weapons school instructor and Thunderbird Lt Col (ret) John “Slick” Baum as the host. Every week, Slick 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.
Episodes
Thursday Mar 25, 2021
Episode 15 - Fear the Reaper: MQ-9 Operations Today and Tomorrow
Thursday Mar 25, 2021
Thursday Mar 25, 2021
Episode 15 – Fear the Reaper: MQ-9 Operations Today and Tomorrow
Episode Summary:
The Mitchell Institute is pleased to release episode 15 of its Aerospace Advantage podcast: Fear the Reaper: MQ-9 Operations Today and Tomorrow. The MQ-9 Reaper is one of the most iconic combat aircraft in modern history. Whether you call it a remotely piloted aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle, or a drone—this aircraft, its mission enterprise, and the people who operate it have fundamentally transformed what it means to fly and fight. Nor have all the chapters been written for this aircraft. While the MQ-9 may best be known for what it did over places like Afghanistan and Iraq in low-intensity counterinsurgency and counter terrorism operations, future years will see it rack up new accomplishments in far different operating situations around the globe. Join us for a conversation with those who fly this legendary aircraft and the experts who designed, built, and sustain it.
Full Topic Guide
MQ-9 Reaper is a unique platform that has fundamentally changed the way we fly and fight. Join John “Slick” Baum as he is joined by Mitchell Institute Executive Director Doug Birkey, experienced MQ-9 Reaper pilot Lt Col Johnny Duray, and General Atomics’ lead architect for the MQ-9, Jaime Walters, to discuss the current and future applications of this unique aircraft.
The capabilities of the MQ-9 as a sensor-shooter aircraft, combined with the ability for long duration flight, makes it uniquely valuable. Although primarily used in low-tier conflicts, the platform will also prove very useful addressing more advanced threats like China and Russia.
Time Marks:
00:49 – Doug Birkey provides context regarding the way in which MQ-9s have been used in the past and will likely be employed in the future.
9:25 – Lt Col Johnny Duray joins the show to provide the operator’s perspective on what the MQ-9 brings to the COCOM’s set of capabilities
21:27 – Lt Col Johnny Duray describes the different ways the MQ-9 can adapt to meet future threats
28:30 – Jaime Walters provides his perspective regarding the MQ-9’s operating capabilities as General Atomics’ lead architect for the aircraft system.
39:20 – Jaime Walters describes the steps General Atomics is taking to better integrate the pilots into the Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) for the MQ-9B and future MQ-9 adaptations
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Lt Col Johnny Duray, USAF
Guest: Jaime Walters, Senior Technical Direction – MQ-9 Platform, General Atomics
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Episode 14 – The Merge: Future of the F-35, Long Range Strike, and the Space Force
Episode Summary:
The Mitchell Institute is pleased to release episode 14 of its Aerospace Advantage podcast: The Merge: Future of the F-35, Long Range Strike, and the Space Force. Join Mitchell Institute experts for a roundtable discussion to explore the present status of the F-35 program amidst increased scrutiny; a showdown that is emerging between the Army and the Air Force over the long-range strike mission; and next steps required for the Space Force to orient itself for long term success.
In air combat, the merge is when opposing fighter aircraft engage and one side emerges victorious. And we think it’s a pretty apt description for how the national security process here in DC works. There are multiple stakeholder positions in contention and people are playing for keeps. Above all, the future of our nation’s security is at stake in these debates. You’ve also got massive business deals and political equities on the line. Policy and budget decisions have seismic impacts felt for decades. “The Merge” segment of the Aerospace Advantage will explore these issues, with Mitchell Institute experts providing insights and analysis that are key to understanding the current state of play.
Full Topic Guide
This week’s episode of the Aerospace Advantage introduces a new monthly series to the podcast, The Merge. Join John “Slick” Baum as he hosts a roundtable discussion featuring Mitchell Institute’s Dean Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Executive Director Doug Birkey, Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, and Senior Fellow Maj (ret.) Heather Penney.
The F-35 has recently received some critical press, but the program is the bedrock of the U.S. military’s modern fighter capabilities. Congressional critiques of the program have missed the mark.
Long range strike is often debated within the services, but this capability has often been misunderstood. Several branches of the military claim domain on long range strike, but the Air Force offers the best cost per effect value in conducting this unique mission.
One year after the creation of the Space Force, funding and authorities still present challenges for the newest service. The Air Force and Space Force share of the defense budget leaves both forces short on cash. This needs to change. Space is provides lynchpin capabilities for actualizing operational concepts like Combat Cloud, JADC2, ABMS and Mosaic Warfare.
Time Marks:
1:53 – The roundtable discussion kicks off with Heather Penney discussing the F-35 program
7:05 – Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula responds to Congressman Adam Smith’s comments on the F-35 program
18:34 – Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger lays down the mission capabilities necessary to conduct long range strike missions
21:47 – Doug Birkey explains how cost per effect is the best way to calculate the cost of long range strike missions
32:10 – Maj (ret.) Heather Penney explains how the Air Force’s core strengths play towards long range strike missions
34:20 – Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula describes how and why the Space Force is currently undermanned and underfunded
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, USAF
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather Penney, USAF
Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, USAF
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Episode 13 - Weather for the Warfighter: Forecasting for Mission Success
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Episode 13 – Weather for the Warfighter: Forecasting for Mission Success
Episode Summary:
The Mitchell Institute is proud to release episode 13 of its Aerospace Advantage podcast: Weather for the Warfighter: Forecasting for Mission Success. America’s national security interests hinge on weather. Few would guess this, since it’s something we take for granted, but whether we look at Gen Eisenhower choosing when to launch D-Day in the spring of 1944, or the type of munition that will be employed off an aircraft today against a fleeting, high-value target, it all comes down to weather. Join us as we speak to frontline combat pilots and technical experts to learn more about a mission many take for granted, but actually stands as a crucial lynchpin for modern combat capabilities.
Full Topic Guide
Episode 13 of the Aerospace Advantage explores what weather means for the warfighter and the programs that deliver this functionality. Host Lt Col (ret.) John “Slick” Baum brings MQ-9 pilot Lt Col Johnny Duray, Mitchell Director of Research Maj Gen (ret.) Larry Stutzriem, and General Atomics’ Vice President of Program Management Nick Bucci onto the show to understand the weather mission and the steps necessary to ensure warfighters can rely on this critical capability for years into the future.
Current space-based weather sensing capabilities have served on orbit long past their expected design lives and a new program, the Electro-Optical Infrared Weather System (EWS), stands as the next generation solution. However, the period in-between represents significant risk given the fragility of the current constellation of satellites and the time when EWS will be available for launch.
This episode will discuss the importance of the weather mission, how the technical requirements for space-based weather systems have evolved, and steps that need to be taken to ensure requirements align with available capabilities.
Time Marks:
1:15 – MQ-9 Reaper pilot Lt Col Johnny Duray joins the conversation and describes what weather means to the airpower mission
11:05 – Maj Gen (ret.) Larry Stutzriem talks about the historical importance of weather sensing capabilities, and the current and future programs that the military employs to achieve this mission
24:18 – Nick Bucci enters the conversation to describe the comparative advantage space-based systems have in weather sensing
35:30 – Nick Bucci lays down the case for accelerating the EWS program
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Col Johnny Duray, USAF
Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Nick Bucci, Vice President Program Management, General Atomics
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!