The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 109 - Strapping into the Cockpit: Mitchell Institute Heads into the Sky Part II

Episode Summary:

In Episode 109 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Strapping into the Cockpit: Mitchell Institute Heads into the Sky Part II, our team members recount some of their most memorable experiences flying and fighting. You normally hear us talking about policy and budget issues, but over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. This week, we hear from Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.) as he explains what happened when the missile he just launched formed up on him, not the intended target; Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) talks about leading a 24 ship flight of F-16s in the weather on a comm-out training sortie…and then losing spatial orientation; Chris "Jekyll" Brunner remembers a time when he was flying a B-1 combat sortie with hung bombs, significant diplomatic issues flaring up, and a low fuel situation in play; Heather Penney shares a moment of levity from the middle of a combat sortie over Iraq when she encountered a huge number of enemy tanks; and Slick shares a Thunderbird memory that will make you laugh out loud.

Credits:

Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair at MI-SPACE, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Chris "Jekyll" Brunner, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: John "Slick" Baum

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #stories #fighter #usaf #bomber

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 108 - Strapping into the Cockpit: Mitchell Institute Heads into the Sky

Episode Summary:

In Episode 108 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Strapping into the Cockpit: Mitchell Institute Heads into the Sky, our team members recount some of their most memorable experiences flying and fighting. You normally hear us talking about policy and budget issues, but over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. This week, we hear from Lt Gen Joseph Guastella Jr., USAF (Ret.), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark Gunzinger, plus Air Force Fellows Lt Col Michael Kingry and Lt Col Sarah Brehm. So this episode is for you if you want to know what it’s like to attack enemy forces in an A-10, direct strikes as an impromptu forward air controller, make it back to base in a B-52 with a major portion of the tail missing, launch on a nerve-wracking combat search and rescue mission, or fly with Air Force Special Operations in Africa.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Gen Joseph Guastella Jr., USAF (Ret.), Non-Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Col. (Ret.) Mark Gunzinger, Director, Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Lt Col Michael Kingry, Air Force Fellow, The Mitchell Institute

Guest: Lt Col Sarah Brehm, Air Force Fellow, The Mitchell Institute

Links:

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #stories #fighter #usaf #bomber

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 107 - Building the Future of Airpower Today: F-35 Production

Episode Summary:

In Episode 107 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Building the Future of Airpower Today: F-35 Production, John “Slick” Baum visits Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production line in Fort Worth, TX, where he chats with Steve Howes, vice president for F-35 production operations, and J.R. McDonald, vice president for F-35 business development. There’s no question that the F-35 is the world’s most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft. However, it’s one thing to talk about this sort of capability and quite another to actually produce it. Things became even more interesting when fate tossed in curveballs from COVID, global supply chain challenges, and historic levels of inflation. This episode digs into everything from what it takes to build this unrivaled aircraft to how the team has overcome challenges and what it means to insert new capabilities on a production line. This is a unique opportunity to talk to the industry leaders who are actually building tomorrow’s airpower. 

 

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Steve Howes, Vice President for F-35 Production Operations, Lockheed Martin

Guest: J.R. McDonald, Vice President for F-35 Business Development, Lockheed Martin

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 #F35 #fighter #usaf #allies

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 106 – We’ve Seen the B-21: What Comes Next?

Episode Summary:

In Episode 106 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, We’ve Seen the B-21: What Comes Next?, John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark Gunzinger, and Doug Birkey of the Mitchell Institute team about their experiences at the B-21 rollout and what the future will hold for America’s newest bomber. Opening the hanger doors and rolling the aircraft out for public viewing earlier this month marked a key juncture towards rebuilding America’s airpower arsenal. It all comes down to producing the long-range sensor/shooter capabilities in adequate capacity that the nation will need to meet tomorrow’s threats. Combatant commanders simply can’t get enough bombers these days, so we can’t get B-21s on the ramp soon enough. These members of the Mitchell Institute team were part of a select group to see this aircraft during its December 2nd rollout; in this episode, they discuss the event, first impressions of the aircraft, and key factors that will shape the future of the program.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: Mark Gunzinger, Director, Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 #b21 #bomber #usaf #lrs

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 105 – Congressional Update, B-21 Rollout, & CCA Vectors: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In Episode 105 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Congressional Update, B-21 Rollout, & CCA Vectors: The Rendezvous, John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Anthony Lazarski, Todd Harmer, and Caitlin Lee to discuss the air and space topics that you’ve seen in the national security headlines. This week, we consider how the Congressional election results will impact defense priorities on The Hill, thoughts regarding the FY24 defense budget submission, latest developments for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), the latest news regarding Ukraine, and what it will take for the defense bills to cross the finish line this year. We also share our perspectives on long range strike, given the B-21 debut to the public on 2 December. A lot has happened this month and we break it all down in this episode.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: Col (Ret.) Todd "Sledge" Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International

Guest: Col (Ret.) Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski, Principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs

Submit Your Questions:

mitchell@afa.org

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 #b21 #bomber #rendezvous #ukraine

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 104 – The Origins of B-21: Understanding the Imperative

Episode Summary:

In episode 104 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, The Origins of B-21: Understanding the Imperative, John Baum chats with a key set of individuals who were incredibly involved with the decisions that eventually yielded the B-21 program. Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), was the commander of STRATCOM, Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), serving on the Air Staff, Maj Gen Charlie Lyon, USAF (Ret.) was the lead for future Air Force capability requirements in the Pentagon, and Mark Gunzinger was in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The arrival of the B-21 into America’s airpower arsenal stands as a crucially important step in rebuilding long-range strike capabilities and capacity in support of Combatant Commander demands. The B-21’s December 2nd rollout is a critical juncture on the path to realizing this objective. However, this eventuality was not always a certainty. In the 2000s, in the wake of the Next Generation Bomber cancelation, a group of individuals had to build a case explaining why it was important to build a new penetrating bomber. They had to engage with senior leaders in OSD, the Joint Staff, and Combatant Commands to transform a concept into a program of record. This episode will explore this unique window in time with folks who were there. If you want to understand the B-21 that will be unveiled this coming week, you need to listen to this episode.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj Gen Charles Lyon, USAF (Ret.)

Guest: Mark Gunzinger, Director, Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, 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 #B21 #Bomber

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 103 – Hardened Shelters and UCAVs: Understanding the Chinese Threat Facing Taiwan

Episode Summary:

In episode 103 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Hardened Shelters and UCAVs: Understanding the Chinese Threat Facing Taiwan, John Baum chats with China expert Daniel Rice about a set of capabilities the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) may bring to bear in a possible future cross-strait conflict. Based on an independent analysis of unclassified aerial imagery, it looks like the Chinese military may be seeking to harness airfields adjacent to the Taiwan Strait for permanent, sustained operations in the event of an attack. Existing and newly installed hardened aircraft shelters afford secure facilities for maintenance, refueling, and rearmament in the event of surge operations during conflict. These airfields may also be instrumental in a broader PLAAF strategy to conduct large-scale attack drone operations against Taiwan. These are important factors for the U.S., Taiwan, and allies in the region to consider as they assess what it will take to deter, and necessary defeat, such an attack.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Daniel Rice, China Expert, Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare, Marine Corps University

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 #China #UCAVS #strategy

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 102 – Want JADC2?: You’re Going to Need Capabilities In Orbit

Episode Summary:

In episode 102 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Want JADC2?: You’re Going to Need Capabilities In Orbit, John Baum chats with Tim Ryan and Doug Birkey of the Mitchell Institute team about the essential role that capabilities in space will play in realizing the Department of Defense’s vision for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). Technologies in orbit possess the unique ability to gather vast quantities of data and move information at the speed, size, and range required for an effective JADC2 architecture. That means if you want a viable set of JADC2 capabilities, you had better invest in space. This architecture must be also be resilient and defendable.  This requires pursuing both passive and active defense features to include the rapid acceleration of offensive and defensive space warfighting concepts and capabilities. This is an incredibly complex topic, but we break it down to the key elements on this episode.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Tim Ryan, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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

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LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #JADC2 #Space

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 101 – B-21 Update, China Assessment, Election Implications for Defense, & F-15s Sunsetting at Kadena: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In Episode 101 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast,  B-21 Update, China Assessment, Election Implications for Defense, & F-15s Sunsetting at Kadena: The Rendezvous, John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Anthony Lazarski, Todd Harmer, and Daniel Rice to discuss the air and space topics that you’ve seen in the national security headlines. This week, we assess the newly-released National Defense Strategy, status of the B-21 program as we anticipate the rollout, Heritage Foundation’s 2023 Index of Military Strength, China’s Communist Party Congress, F-15s sunsetting at Okinawa absent a direct replacement, and how the upcoming elections could impact defense issues. We also provide an update regarding the National Defense Authorization Act and where the Defense Appropriations legislation stands. We wrap with a review of Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Security Forum. This is a ton of news and analysis to pack into an episode, but it all matters a lot.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: Col (Ret.) Todd "Sledge" Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International

Guest: Col (Ret.) Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski, Principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs

Guest: Daniel Rice, China Expert, Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare, Marine Corps University

Submit Your Questions:

mitchell@afa.org

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 #washington #nds #b21

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 100 – Collaborative Combat Aircraft: Understanding Next Steps

Episode Summary:

In episode 100 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Collaborative Combat Aircraft: Understanding Next Steps, John Baum chats with Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute about key factors the Air Force should consider as it works to transform its vision for these next generation UAVs into viable operational assets. The motivation for these new aircraft is clear: gaining capability and capacity necessary to win in a peer fight. Highlighting findings from a recent report she drafted on this topic, Heather discusses why the Air Force is interested in CCAs and not just more manned aircraft, how trust factors into the development and employment of the autonomy technology, and crucial areas of autonomy development that the Air Force must focus on if CCA are to deliver on their promise. This is an important conversation to help understand one of the most dynamic aspects of combat airpower under development today.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Heather Penney, Senior Resident 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 #CCA #autonomy #unmanned

Thank you for your continued support!