The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 75 - A New Air Force Innovation Engine: WARTECH

Episode 75 – A New Air Force Innovation Engine: WARTECH

Episode Summary:

In episode 75 of the Aerospace Advantage, A New Air Force Innovation Engine: WARTECH, host John “Slick” Baum is joined by Kristen Baldwin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering; Chris Ristich, Director of the Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation Office and the Transformational Capabilities Office at Air Force Research Lab; and Mitchell Institute’s Maj Gen (ret) Larry Stutzriem to discuss one of the service’s newest innovation efforts. It’s called WARTECH and it’s run by a team at Air Force Research Lab to deliver combat capabilities in a faster, more responsive fashion. They are focused on big-leap capabilities the Air Force needs to deter, and if necessary, win in peer-level conflict. AFRL is committing significant resources to it—about 20% of the AFRL budget. That means WARTECH is a top priority. As they say, “no bucks, no Buck Rogers.” We talk to the leaders behind this effort to learn more about it, understand how it integrates across the service, and what it will mean at the operational edge.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies 

Producer: Daniel C. Rice 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Lawrence Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Kristen Baldwin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering

Guest: Chris Ristich, Director, Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation Office and Transformational Capabilities Office, Air Force Research Laboratory

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Airpower #WARTECH #Innovation

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Episode 74 - The US War Against ISIS: Lessons for American Airpower

Episode 74 – The US War Against ISIS: Lessons for American Airpower

Episode Summary:

In episode 74 of the Aerospace Advantage, The US War Against ISIS: Lessons for American Airpower, Host John "Slick" Baum is joined by Mitchell Institute Dean Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula and Director of Research of the Foreign Policy Research Institute Dr. Aaron Stein to discuss the US War against ISIS, Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2014, the world took notice as a new threat surged in the Middle East as extremists started a campaign to establish a caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Their brutality left thousands dead and set off a massive refuge crisis. US leaders knew they had to act and launched Operation Inherent Resolve. Much of this campaign, especially the lessons learned regarding airpower, are revealed in Dr. Ben Lambeth’s 2021 book, Airpower in the War against ISIS. Today we dive into the conflict with Dr. Stein, who just released a new book on this topic. The lessons learned are especially relevant as we look to current and future challenges.

 

You can purchase Dr. Stein’s book The US War Against ISIS: How America and its Allies Defeated the Caliphate here.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Dr. Aaron Stein, Director of Research, Foreign Policy Research Institute

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Airpower

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Episode 73 - UAVs and Allies: It’s Time to Reform Export Policies

Episode 73 – UAVs and Allies: It’s Time to Reform Export Policies

Episode Summary:

In Episode 73, UAVs and Allies: It’s Time to Reform Export Policies, host John “Slick” Baum interviews Mitchell Institute’s Heather Penney about why it’s so hard for the U.S. to export UAVs to our allies and partners. These aircraft are one of the most capable airpower tools, but current U.S. government policy blocks many international sales. Looking for alternate sources, countries turn to other suppliers, which are too often countries like China and Russia. It’s time for this process to change to ensure the next generation of American UAVs can be accessed by allies and partners, just as they would with traditional manned combat aircraft. This is a crucial step towards creating interoperable, collaborative air arms.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Drones #RPA

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Episode 72 - Understanding How Adversaries Think: China and Russia in Space

Episode 72 – Understanding How Adversaries Think: China and Russia in Space

Episode Summary:

In Episode 72, Understanding How Adversaries Think: China and Russia in Space, Daniel Rice of the Mitchell Institute is joined by MI-SPACE Senior Fellow Christopher Stone, CASI Director Dr. Brendan Mulvaney, and Air University's Dr. Daniel Connelly to explore how the Chinese and Russian worldviews influence their approaches to operating and fighting in space. This comes down to a simple precept: deterrence happens in the mind of your adversaries. Crafting a better strategy comes down to understanding what your opponent values and how they approach conflict. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to interpret and predict what your adversaries will do. These lessons are especially important for space, a domain that is becoming increasingly contested.

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The views expressed by the guests in this interview are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Credits:

Host: Daniel Rice, Research Analyst, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Christopher Stone, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

Guest: Dr. Brendan Mulvaney, Director, The China Aerospace Studies Institute

Guest: Dr. Daniel Connolly, Assistant Professor, Air University Air Command and Staff College

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Russia #Space

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Episode 71 - Space as a Warfighting Domain: Discussion with Gen (ret) Kevin Chilton

Episode 71 – Space as a Warfighting Domain: Discussion with Gen (ret) Kevin Chilton

Episode Summary:

In Episode 71 of the Aerospace Advantage, Space as a Warfighting Domain: Discussion with Gen (ret) Kevin Chilton, host John "Slick" Baum speaks with Mitchell Institute’s Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret) about the realities of modern military operations in space. While the U.S. did not instigate or favor turning space into a warfighting domain, our adversaries pressed in that direction. We must now respond. This means developing a range of terrestrial and space-based defensive and offensive options to deter and, if necessary, defeat attacks. We must also hold our adversaries' space capabilities at equal risk. This mirrors what we have in every other domain. We wouldn’t send planes, ships, or soldiers into harm’s way without the ability to defend themselves or attack an opposing force, but these are the realities facing America’s assets in space today. We will know when we are making progress in this area when we pursue operational concepts, strategies, and technologies that embrace both offensive and defensive capabilities, integrate space with the other warfighting domains to allow for combined combat actions, and train Guardians not just as technical experts, but warfighters. As an astronaut and past commander of Air Force Space Command and STRATCOM, Gen Chilton has particularly unique insights into these issues.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Gen (Ret.) Kevin Chilton, Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

Links:

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Episode 70 - Ukraine Update and the FY23 DOD Budget Release: The Rendezvous

Episode 70 – Ukraine Update and the FY23 DOD Budget Release: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In Episode 70 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Ukraine Update and the FY23 DOD Budget Release: The Rendezvous, The Mitchell Institute team gathers to discuss air and space topics that you’ve seen in the national security headlines. The conversation begins by discussing current trends we are observing with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The group then discusses initial take-aways from the FY23 budget submission that went to Congress this week. With the Air Force set to divest 150 aircraft, including a number of F-22s, and reduce the F-35 buy rate, there is much to discuss on this front.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: : Col (Ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director for Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj (Ret.) Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Lukas Atuenried, Senior Analyst, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #TheRendezvous

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Episode 69 - Brink of Nuclear War: Able Archers and Lessons for Today

Episode 69 – Brink of Nuclear War: Able Archers and Lessons for Today

Episode Summary:

In Episode 69 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast Brink of Nuclear War: Able Archers and Lessons for Today, host John "Slick" Baum is joined by former career Air Force intelligence officer and aerospace industry executive Brian Morra to discuss his new book The Able Archers and how the lessons he learned from his first-hand experience during Able Archer applies to Russia today. In 1983, following the NATO Able Archer military exercise and the Soviet shootdown of Korean Airlines flight 007, the US and Soviet Union were on the brink of nuclear war. The events were highly classified at the time, so little was known of the exact details. But, now, Brian has taken his first-hand experience as an intelligence officer in Japan along with newly declassified material, to tell us the story of The Able Archers and how the US and USSR avoided nuclear war. This story is incredibly relevant for today as the US and NATO face the threat of nuclear escalation by Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Brian Morra, Board Member at CAE USA and Author

Links:

You can buy The Able Archers book here.

Find out more about Brian Morra here: www.brianjmorra.com

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Episode 68 - Airpower Deaf and Blind: Connectivity Under Assault

Episode 68 – Airpower Deaf and Blind: Connectivity Under Assault

Episode Summary:

In episode 68 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Airpower Deaf and Blind: Connectivity Under Assault, host John “Slick” Baum, engages with Steve Trimble of Aviation Week and Space Technology and Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute to discuss a fight over how we manage spectrum—the ecosystem where we communicate electronically. Exchanging information allows us to better understand the battlespace, team with various actors, seek zones to best net mission results, and avoid threats. If you don’t have a decision advantage, you’ll likely lose. That’s why there is so much emphasis on a concept known as joint all domain command and control, or JADC2 for short. It’s all about information advantage. But we’ve also had some wake-up calls suggesting that we need to be careful how we manage these sorts of capabilities—most recently, with the US military losing access to one of its most important networks—Link 16. It’s time for some serious thinking on this crucial topic.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Steve Trimble, Defense Editor, Aviation Week Network

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Connectivity

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Episode 67 - Ukraine and the Broader Implications: The Rendezvous

Episode 67 – Ukraine and the Broader Implications: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In episode 67 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Ukraine and the Broader Implications: The Rendezvous, host John “Slick” Baum, engages with Mark Gunzinger, Heather Penney, Douglas Birkey, Lukas Autenried, and Daniel Rice of the Mitchell Institute team to better understand recent events surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The conversation covers a number of key topics, including why deterrence failed to dissuade Putin, balancing force requirements between Europe and the Pacific, implications for Space, China’s take on the conflict thus far, and how the U.S. similar conflicts in the future. We also dig into a number of hot-button issues like no-fly-zones, MiG-29 transfers, the performance of the Russian force, and what all of this should mean for the FY23 budget.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col (Ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director for Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies  

Guest: Lukas Autenried, Senior Analyst, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Guest: Daniel Rice, Research Analyst, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #TheRendezvous

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Episode 66 - Hypersonic Strike: Have China and Russia Won the Race?

Episode 66 – Hypersonic Strike: Have China and Russia Won the Race?

Episode Summary:

In episode 66 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Hypersonic Strike: Have China and Russia Won the Race?, host John “Slick” Baum, engages with two leading experts, Dr. Mark Lewis and Dr. Dick Hallion, to learn more about this critical technology and next steps we need to take to operationalize it. The ability to fly at five at times the speed of sound is an absolute game-changer. However, flying this fast on an everyday basis is incredibly demanding from a technical perspective. The reason you’ve heard a lot about hypersonics lately is that we’re in a race with China and Russia to develop operational capabilities in this realm and we’re not at the head of the pack. Leaders are worried because if you think developing hypersonic technologies is tough, defending against them is even harder. The irony is that for decades, the U.S. was the leader in hypersonics thanks to its work with aircraft like the X-15. Since then, we’ve pursued a few test programs, but it really hasn’t been a priority for defense leaders. That’s all changed now that we find ourselves falling behind our adversaries. It’s caused a massive reset in the Department of Defense, with numerous surge efforts launched to help America regain its hypersonic edge.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Dr. Richard Hallion, Aerospace expert

Guest: Dr. Mark Lewis, Executive Director, Emerging Technologies Institute, National Defense Industrial Association

Links:

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