The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 79 - Allied Space Perspectives: Conversation with Air Vice Marshal Smyth

Episode 79 – Allied Space Perspectives: Conversation with Air Vice Marshal Smyth

Episode Summary:

In Episode 79 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast Allied Space Perspectives: Conversation with Air Vice Marshal Smyth, host John "Slick" Baum and Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret) chat with Air Vice Marshal Harv Smyth, Director of Space at the Ministry of Defence, to discuss the United Kingdom’s approach to national security issues on orbit. This conversation is especially important given the MOD’s recently released white paper: “Defence Space Strategy: Operationalizing the Space Domain.” Understanding how our allies view this domain and the related missions is crucial. This conversation affords numerous key insights in those regards.

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

Guest: Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth, Director of Space UK Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #RAF #Space

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Episode 78 - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Airpower: Closer than You Think

Episode 78 – Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Airpower: Closer than You Think

Episode Summary:

In episode 78 of the Aerospace Advantage, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Airpower: Closer than You Think, host John “Slick” Baum speaks with a seasoned remotely piloted aircraft operator—Brigadier General Houston Cantwell, who commands the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force—and an engineer who specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, Dr. Anastacia "Stacie" MacAllister of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to explore how AI can revolutionize airpower. Secretary of the Air Force Kendall has made it clear that AI and developing manned and unmanned teams is a top priority for the USAF if we are to fight and win in a conflict with our peer competitors. To realize this vision, it will take engineers and warfighters working side-by-side to deliver operationally relevant AI into UAVs. But they will need to strike a balance. We need to move fast enough to stay ahead of the adversary, but not so fast that there is no time to put the right constraints in place to prevent AI from spinning out of control. Today, we begin the conversation on how to strike this balance and get the most out of AI to revolutionize the future of airpower.   

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. Caitlin Lee, Senior Fellow for UAV and Autonomy Studies (MI-UAS), The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Brig Gen Houston Cantwell, Commander of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force, USAF

Guest: Dr. Anastacia "Stacy" MacAllister, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Solutions Architect, General Atomics Aeronautical System

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AI

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Episode 77 - Closing the Weapons Gap: New Missile Technology Imperatives

Episode 77 – Closing the Weapons Gap: New Missile Technology Imperatives

Episode Summary:

In episode 77 of the Aerospace Advantage, Closing the Weapons Gap: New Missile Technology Imperatives, host John “Slick” Baum talks to Lt Gen Gus Guastella, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and Maj Gen Jon Norman, USAF (ret) of Raytheon Technologies about where threats are driving next generation air-to-air missile requirements. Ask any defense leader or combat airmen and they will bemoan the problem of artificially restricting the combat potential of highly advanced aircraft like the F-22 and F-35 given the limitation of current air-to-air weapons in an era where adversary challenges are growing. Conversationally, this problem is often referenced as “5th generation aircraft carrying 3rd generation munitions.”  This challenge has long been recognized, but the imperative for action has grown given the scale of peer threats. Adversaries have had years to study our air-to-air systems and they have applied this knowledge. It is time to address this problem by implementing modernization pathways that can rapidly enhance our weapons advantage in the near-term, while also looking at longer-term solutions. Not only will this help regain an immediate competitive edge, but it will also serve as a bridging strategy to buy the time required to field the next generation of air-to-air munitions.

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 Joseph Guastella Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, USAF

Guest: Maj Gen (Ret.) Jon Norman, VP USAF Air Power Requirements & Capability, Raytheon Missiles & Defense

Links:

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Episode 76 - Building Next Gen CSAR: HH-60W

Episode 76 – Building Next Gen CSAR: HH-60W

Episode Summary:

In episode 76 of the Aerospace Advantage, Building Next Gen CSAR: HH-60W, host John “Slick” Baum talks to Sikorsky team members involved with developing and producing the next generation HH-60W combat search and rescue helicopter. The Air Force operates aircraft for decades, so introducing a new type is a big deal and it involves a lot of different nuances and processes we don’t always think about. Now some might ask—what’s the big deal? This is just another Blackhawk variant. And while that’s technically true at a big picture level, the reality is that this aircraft, its mission systems, and its performance are fundamentally different than the older types it’s replacing, the HH-60Gs. In fact, it’s so evolved that the Air Force competed this as a new acquisition effort and is putting the helicopter through a series of tests reserved for new types entering the operational world. This isn’t just another mission. Combat search and rescue is a moral imperative.

 

Get the operator’s perspective of the discussion with Col Russ Cook in Episode 65 - When it Matters the Most: Combat Search and Rescue. Click here to listen now!

 

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: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Steven Hill, Program Director for Combat Rescue Helicopter, Sikorsky

Guest: David “Rum” Morgan, Director for Air Force Business Development, Sikorsky

Guest: James Brant, Director for Assembly and Flight Operations, Sikorsky

Links:

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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

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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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