The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 89: Hypersonic Strike: Insider Perspective

Episode 89 – Hypersonic Strike: Insider Perspective

Episode Summary:

In Episode 89 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Hypersonic Strike: Insider Perspective, John Baum engages with one of the industry teams involved with designing, building, and testing next generation hypersonic strike technologies. Peer threats, particularly those posed by China, demand a new set of enhanced strike options. Hypersonic technology is a key factor in this equation. Defense leaders know this and have launched numerous programs, committed significant funding, and maintained a consistent focus to transition developmental technologies to the operational realm. This is a marked departure from decades’ worth of an inconsistent, wandering approach to maturing hypersonic technology. After tremendous progress in the 1960s thanks to programs like the X-15, the nation effectively ceded decades of potential hypersonic progress due to a lack of clear goals, strategic program portfolio, and dependable funding. Now, with peer competition stressing US defense strategies, CONOPS, and technical capabilities in ways not seen since the Cold War, it’s time to reclaim the hypersonic advantage. This is a difficult proposition given the need to innovate on numerous fronts, develop a new generation of talent, relearn lessons, and produce urgent results amidst tremendous pressure for success. This episode provides an inside perspective regarding what it’s like to be on this journey, better understand the technology, the people behind these efforts, and why it’s so important hypersonics enter America’s operational arsenal as soon as possible.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Eric Knutson, Director at Skunk Works Advanced Systems

Guest: Brian Schappacher, Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon Deputy Program Manager

Guest: Arlen Kostival, Vehicle Systems Engineer

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #hypersonic #technology

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 88: Congress’ View on Air Force Modernization, Nukes, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous

Episode 88 – Congress' View on Air Force Modernization, Nukes, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In Episode 88 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Congress’ View on Air Force Modernization, Nukes, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous, the Mitchell Institute team gathers to discuss air and space topics that you’ve seen in the national security headlines. This week’s episode focuses on the defense bills moving through the House and Senate. We focus on the future of the F-22, the Hill’s stance on F-35, whether the Air Force’s attempt to pursue “divest to invest” is working, support for the nuclear triad, and Congress’ thoughts on sending airpower to Ukraine.  We also introduce two new voices to the Rendezvous team that you’ll hear from monthly: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski and Todd “Sledge” Harmer.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

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.) 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #usaf #nukes #ukraine #thehill

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 87: Welcome to the World’s Biggest Aerial Stage: Airpower at Oshkosh

Episode 87 – Welcome to the World's Biggest Aerial Stage: Airpower at Oshkosh

Episode Summary:

In Episode 87 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Welcome to the World’s Biggest Aerial Stage: Airpower at Oshkosh, John “Slick” Baum, Doug Birkey, and John "Rain" Waters join us from the AirVenture flightline to discuss what airpower means to the public at large. The annual fly-in at Oshkosh is a legendary event. With over half a million people attending the week-long airshow in Oshkosh, WI, there is nowhere better to see everything from the newest F-35 to a vintage P-40 and everything in-between.  With this year marking the 75^th Anniversary of the US Air Force, airpower is certainly a high-profile topic at this year’s show. Slick and Doug talk to us about what it’s like to participate in the event—flying into the world’s busiest airport, walking the flightline, and meeting legendary aviators. They also catch up with Rain, who flew as an F-16 demo pilot in past AirVentures and learn about what goes into that sort of performance.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, 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: Maj John "Rain" Waters, Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Pilot

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Airventure #Oshkosh #AirShow

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 86 - So You Want to be a Thunderbird? Insider Perspectives

Episode 86 – So You Want to be a Thunderbird? Insider Perspectives

Episode Summary:

In Episode 86 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, So You Want to be a Thunderbird? Insider Perspectives, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum is joined by John “JV” Venable of the Heritage Foundation, former commander in the Thunderbirds, and Caroline “Blaze” Jensen, former right wing in the Thunderbirds, to reflect upon their years as members of the Air Force’s famed aerial demonstration unit. We all know the public façade—the incredible flying, polished personas, and famed liveries. However, not many people know what it’s like to execute at this intense pace day-after-day on a national stage. This conversation between three veteran Thunderbirds looks at what it’s like to be on the team from an individual perspective. Flying skills are obviously crucial, but it takes a whole lot more to succeed as a member of this group. JV was selected in 1999 to command the Thunderbirds, and was on point for every practice, deployment, and air show for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Blaze flew the right wing position for the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons. Slick flew the left wing position during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, which included an international tour in Asia.

Credits:

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

Co-host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col (Ret.) John “JV” Venable, Senior Research Fellow, Defense Policy, Center for National Defense

Guest: Lt Col (Ret.) Caroline “Blaze” Jensen, National WASP WWII Museum Board Member

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Thunderbird

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 85 - B-21: Insights About America’s Newest Bomber

Episode 85 – B-21: Insights About America's Newest Bomber

Episode Summary:

In Episode 85 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, B-21: Insights About America's Newest Bomber, John Baum chats with Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger and Chris "Jekyll" Brunner of the Mitchell Institute team about the future of the long range strike mission. Every bomber currently serving in the USAF inventory was designed in the Cold War. Not only did this see requirements optimized for a legacy threat, but technology was set at a far different baseline. To this point, the B-2 was unveiled a year before the world wide web was invented. The B-21 is truly America's first twenty first century bomber. Its requirements were optimized for a far different set of mission requirements, threat environment factors, and information age realities. This episode seeks to provide insight into the thinking that shaped the B-21 into the aircraft that will meet America's long range strike requirements for tomorrow and beyond.

Credits:

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

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col (Ret.) Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Col (Ret.) Chris "Jekyll" Brunner, Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #B21 #Bomber

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 84 - Air Mobility in the Pacific: Time to Adjust Our Sight Picture

Episode 84 – Air Mobility in the Pacific: Time to Adjust Our Sight Picture

Episode Summary:

In Episode 84 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Air Mobility in the Pacific: Time to Adjust Our Sight Picture, John Baum chats with C-17 pilot Lt Col Josh Holaday about what it will take to sustain combat operations in the Pacific. The US Air Force may have the best warfighting aircraft in the world, but these capabilities won’t mean much if we can’t keep them resupplied. The same holds true for mission personnel and the broader joint force.  Assumptions used to sustain mobility operations over the past two decades in Afghanistan and Iraq simply won’t hold true in a Pacific combat scenario. Logistics under fire is a vastly more complex reality against a peer adversary, especially when executed in such a vast region. Lt Col Holaday spent the past year with Mitchell Institute as a Senior Developmental Education Fellow. He has tremendous experience as an air mobility pilot, squadron commander, and as a planner at Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters.  

Lt Col Holaday is a U.S. Air Force military fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The views expressed in this interview are those of the author 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: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Col Joshua Holaday, Senior Developmental Education Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, USAF

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Logistics #AMC

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 83 - Defeating Adversary Strikes: Next Gen Missile Warning and Tracking

Episode 83 – Defeating Adversary Strikes: Next Gen Missile Warning and Tracking

Episode Summary:

In Episode 83 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Defeating Adversary Strikes: Next Gen Missile Warning and Tracking, John Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Chris Stone;  Lt Col Brandon "Coach" Davenport, former commander of the 2nd Space Warning squadron; and Dr. Davin Swanson, Chief Engineer with Raytheon Intelligence and Space about the threat posed by modern adversary missiles and key steps we need to pursue to defeat them. For decades, adversary nations have observed the advantages U.S. military forces have enjoyed thanks to robust long-range strike capabilities. Destroy the right combination of targets and an opposing military force has a hard time staying in the fight. That’s why our opponents have doubled down on developing their own long-range strike options through a range of missile technologies. They want to hold U.S. homeland targets and our forward operating bases at risk. Defeating a long-range strike threat starts with identification and tracking. This demands a new architecture and related set of capabilities.

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: Chris Stone, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Guest: Lt Col Brandon “Coach” Davenport, Former Commander of the 2^nd Space Warning squadron, Speechwriter, USSF

Guest: Dr. Davin Swanson, Chief Engineer, Raytheon Intelligence and Space

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Space #MWT

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 82 - China v Taiwan: What’s Really Happening in the Air?

Episode 82 – China v Taiwan: What’s Really Happening in the Air?

Episode Summary:

In Episode 82 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, China v Taiwan: What’s Really Happening in the Air? John Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Dan Rice; Ken Allen an Associate of the China Aerospace Studies Institute; Gerald Brown of Valiant Integrated Services; and Thomas Shattuck of Perry World House to better understand the dynamics between China and Taiwan when it comes to contested air sovereignty. Clearly, relations between the two nations are complex and heated. From an air perspective, this increasingly comes to bear as Chinese military aircraft transit through airspace claimed by Taiwan, which includes a special zone known as the air defense identification zone (ADIZ). This sort of action could easily escalate into a flash point. Learn more about these trends and what they mean for broader security dynamics in the Pacific.

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

Guest: Ken Allen, Former Director of Research and Associate, The China Aerospace Studies Institute

Guest: Gerald Brown, Defense Analyst, Valiant Integrated Services

Guest: Thomas Shattuck, Program Manager, Perry World House

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Taiwan

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 81 - Space National Guard: An Imperative or Extraneous?

Episode 81 – Space National Guard: An Imperative or Extraneous?

Episode Summary:

In Episode 81 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Space National Guard: An Imperative or Extraneous? John Baum chats with Col Michael Bruno, Lt Col Scott McGuire, and Mitchell Institute’s Christopher Stone to explore the debate surrounding whether the nation requires a Space National Guard. This issue is garnering quite a bit of attention as of late, with the Administration seeking to block the stand-up of a Space Guard, while Members of Congress introducing language calling for its establishment. This episode explores the key issues involved with this decision. Ultimately, it comes down to ensuring key functions can be executed by the right people, ineffective command chains, and in a responsive fashion. How this issue is settled will portend major consequences for the future of America’s national security space enterprise.

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: Chris Stone, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Col Michael “Myk” Bruno, Chief of the Joint Staff, Colorado National Guard

Guest: Lt Col Scott McGuire, Commander of the 114^th Space Control Squadron, Florida Air National Guard

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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Space #NationalGuard

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 80 - Congress, Ukraine, and China: The Rendezvous

Episode 80 – Congress, Ukraine, and China: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In Episode 80 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Congress, Ukraine, and China: The Rendezvous, The Mitchell Institute team of Lt General Deptula, Doug Birkey, and Daniel Rice, gather to discuss air and space topics that you’ve seen in the national security headlines. This week’s episode focuses on the defense bills moving through the House and Senate, with predictions regarding what Air Force priorities will win and lose. We also discuss the latest events that are occurring in Ukraine and the risks involved with providing too little support at a time when Russia is still making progress and the coalition backing Ukraine faces pressure. Finally, the conversation wraps up by looking at a number of meetings Chinese leaders have been holding with Pacific Island nations as they seek economic and military agreements.

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: Daniel Rice, Research Analyst, 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #China #Ukraine #NDAA

Thank you for your continued support!