The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to present The Aerospace Advantage, with Heather ”Lucky” Penney as the host. Every week, Lucky takes 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
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
Episode 50 – Building the Next Gen Space Enterprise
Episode Summary:
In Episode 50 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Building the Next Gen Space Enterprise, host John “Slick” Baum speaks to a number of key leaders in the Space Force and industry to discuss how and why new actors are entering the space business. Given all the recent activity in space—whether discussing the explosion of small satellites or new launch players like Space X, Virgin Galactic, or Blue Origin—it’s hard to remember that the space industry was once one the realm of a select few companies. To put it bluntly, the barriers to entry were incredible and the notion that start-ups or outside companies could enter this realm seemed impossible. But then something happened. Several years ago, the government signaled they wanted to broaden the market for players in the launch sector as well as those who built the satellites. It wasn’t long after that decision that we saw a tidal wave of activity. And it’s fundamentally reshaped what it means to go to space, what we do when we have assets up there, and how we envision the domain. Today we are going to take a few steps back in history and talk to a number of key players who have lived through this journey—from both the government and industry vantage. We are going to explore what drove the government to begin pursuing this course and what motivated companies to want to engage. It’s an incredible story. We are going to look back years from now and realize this was a key inflection point that fundamentally shaped how America and the world related to space.
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: Chuck Beames, Executive Chairman of York Space Systems and Chairman of the SmallSat Alliance
Chuck Beames’ Twitter handle: @chuckbeames
Guest: Brig Gen Steven Whitney, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration
Guest: Bradley Cheetham, CEO and President, Advanced Space
Links:
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Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Episode 49 – China’s Global Intent and Tactics: Adversary Insights
Episode Summary:
In Episode 49 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast China’s Global Intent and Tactics: Adversary Insights, host John “Slick” Baum is joined by Dr. Brendan Mulvaney of the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), the former Director of Research at CASI. Ken Allen, and Mitchell Institute research analyst Daniel Rice to discuss the big question on everyone’s mind, “What is China’s global intent, and what are they doing to achieve these goals?” You see it in the news all of the time, China is fielding a new capability, or chartering vectors into a new area of the globe, so we need to make sense of it all and frame the way that we think about China. Today, the team explains what are China’s fundamental goals, and sheds some light on Chinese actions in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and the Chinese military buildup.
You can find episode 18 of the podcast with Col Keith "Ghost" Butler and the B-2 here.
You can find our last episode on the PLAAF here.
Credits:
Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Dr. Brendan Mulvaney, Director, The China Aerospace Studies Institute
Guest: Ken Allen, former Director of Research, The China Aerospace Studies Institute
Guest: Daniel Rice, Research Analyst, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
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Thank you for your continued support!
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Episode 48 – Operation Enduring Freedom: A 20-Year Air Commander Retrospective Part 2
Episode Summary:
In episode 48 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Operation Enduring Freedom: A 20-Year Air Commander Retrospective Part 2, General Buzz Moseley, USAF (ret), General Chuck Wald, USAF (ret), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (ret), and Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (ret) rejoin us to provide first-person air commander perspectives regarding the air campaign they led against the Taliban, which began on October 7th, 2001. This was an air war like none other. B-2s set new bombing mission endurance records—flying over 40 hours on a single sortie—while remotely piloted MQ-1 Predators ushered in an entirely new form of unmanned combat airpower. General Wald, USAF (ret.) and General Moseley, USAF (ret.) each served as the head of Central Command Air Forces Commander in back-to-back assignments, General Deptula, USAF (ret.) commanded the combined air operations center, and Major General Stutzriem, USAF (ret.) was the Director of Operations for Joint Task Force – Southwest Asia and Deputy Director of the Combined Air Operations Center. Today we explore the second half of this conversation, discussing what it was like to launch an air campaign less than a month after the 9/11 attacks in a location few could have ever imagined. Through their leadership, drive, and innovation—they surged planning efforts and launched one an air campaign that yielded decisive results.
Credits:
Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Gen (ret.) T. Michael “Buzz” Moseley, USAF
Guest: Gen (ret.) Charles F. “Chuck” Wald, USAF
Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Episode 47 – Fractional Orbital Strike, Advanced Tactical Trainer, UAV Strikes, and Next Gen AWACS: The Rendezvous
Episode Summary:
In episode 47 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Fractional Orbital Strike, Advanced Tactical Trainer, UAV Strikes, and Next Gen AWACS: The Rendezvous, Mitchell Institute team members talk about some of the top aerospace headlines you’ve seen in recent news. Whether discussing why the Chinese are pursuing a new strike technology, ACC’s desire to rethink how it trains pilots, whether “over the horizon strikes” with UAVs will continue to present value, and the latest considerations when it comes to replacing the E-3 AWACS—there are a lot of issues in play. Join us to hear the background context and key points of consideration on these important topics.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Chris Stone, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Episode 46 – Operation Enduring Freedom: A 20-Year Air Commander Retrospective Part 1
Episode Summary:
In episode 46 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Operation Enduring Freedom: A 20-Year Air Commander Retrospective Part 1, General Buzz Moseley, USAF (ret), General Chuck Wald, USAF (ret), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (ret), and Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (ret), explore what it was like to plan and execute an air campaign like none other. Their efforts began hours after the 9/11 attacks, with combat operations commencing on October 7th, 2001. Sortie durations stretched aircraft and crews to their limits given the lack of proximate regional bases. In a matter of months, U.S. airpower, in conjunction with indigenous Afghan ground forces and a handful of U.S. special units, removed the Taliban from power and destroyed terrorist training camps. In fact, Afghanistan was already in allied control by the time the broader US Army and Marine Corps deployments arrived. So, if you want to know about the decisive phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, it’s a story about airpower. General Wald, USAF (ret.) and General Moseley, USAF (ret.) each served as the head of Central Command Air Forces Commander in back-to-back assignments, General Deptula commanded the combined air operations center, and Major General Stutzriem, USAF (ret.) was the Director of Operations for Joint Task Force - Southwest Asia and Deputy Director of the Combined Air Operations Center. At their core, they were all air commanders in an absolutely pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Today we explore this history and talk about experiences and memories none of them will ever forget. This is the first time they have discussed this history as a group in twenty years, so this is a set of episodes you will not want to miss.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Gen (ret.) T. Michael “Buzz” Moseley, USAF
Guest: Gen (ret.) Charles F. “Chuck” Wald, USAF
Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
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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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Oct 23, 2021
Saturday Oct 23, 2021
Episode 45 – F-35: Getting Healthy, or Hard Broke? Part 2
Episode Summary:
In episode 45 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, F-35: Getting Healthy, or Hard Broke? Part 2, Mitchell Institute explores the status of America’s newest fighter engine with top experts from Pratt and Whitney. Fighter aircraft are generally viewed by the general public as airframes—their fuselages, wings, and tails give them unmistakable, unique shapes. However, it takes incredibly sophisticated jet engine technology to bring these airplanes to life. The F-35’s engine is a game-changer—embodying state-of-the-art materials and design techniques that have revolutionized jet propulsion. The bottom line, no fighter has ever been fitted with such a powerful engine. But inventing new technology involves challenges and the F-35’s engine is no exception to this process. Improvements need to be made to deliver on key reliability and cost targets that will allow the F-35 to meet long-term objectives. Learn more about this process by hearing from key engine team members.
Listen to Part 1 here!
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: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Amanda Glode, Executive Director for F135 Sustainment, Pratt and Whitney
Guest: Tim “Picard” Forsythe, Lead Integrator for the Combat Air Forces, Pratt and Whitney
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD
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Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Oct 16, 2021
Saturday Oct 16, 2021
Episode 44 – F-35: Getting Healthy, or Hard Broke? Part 1
Episode Summary:
In episode 44 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, F-35: Getting Healthy, or Hard Broke? Part 1 Mitchell Institute explores the status of America’s newest fighter with top experts in a 2-part series. You’ve heard it all year—the sky is falling when it comes to the F-35. Air Force leaders, Members of Congress, and a host of commentators have signaled serious concern with the program—especially when it comes to aircraft and engine reliability, plus its operational cost. There’s no shaping this one. Any reasonable person who is just reading newspaper headlines this year would wonder why we are still buying this plane. So, we figured it was time to dig into this issue and figure out what’s going on from people who really understand the details of the program the best, and frankly own much of the path to improved performance—the companies building the F-35. And this is not some infomercial to spin the status of the aircraft. Our goal here today is to no kidding talk about real issues, baseline problems for what they are, explore contributing factors, and talk about how we can make things better. America and its allies need the F-35 to work.
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: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Audrey Brady, Vice President for F-35 Global Sustainment, Lockheed Martin
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
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Saturday Oct 09, 2021
Saturday Oct 09, 2021
Episode 43 – Nellis AFB Train Like You Fight: Preparing for Near-Peer Conflict
Episode Summary:
In episode 43 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Nellis AFB Train Like You Fight: Preparing for Near-Peer Conflict, 57th Wing Commander Brig Gen Michael "Johnny Bravo" Drowley joins host John ”Slick” Baum and co-host Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula to discuss how the Weapons School, Red Flag, Aggressors, and other key facets of his team are developing and training the tactics, techniques, and procedures to address future threats, especially peer competitors like China and Russia. A key part of this comes down to integrating air, space, and cyber capabilities to leverage powerful effects at the right time and place. So, if you want to know where the Air Force is headed, you better understand what’s happening over the skies of Nellis AFB with the 57th.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Brig Gen Michael “Johnny Bravo” Drowley, 57th Wing Commander, USAF
Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies
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Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Oct 02, 2021
Saturday Oct 02, 2021
Episode 42 – From 6th Gen Fighters to New Space Warfighting Concepts: The Rendezvous
Episode Summary:
In episode 42 of the Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Advantage podcast, From 6th Gen Fighters to New Space Warfighting Concepts: The Rendezvous the team discusses the insights they garnered while hosting Air Force and Space Force leaders at AFA’s 2021 Air, Space, and Cyberspace Conference. Learn details about the future force concepts; specific insights regarding next-generation fighters, the B-21, and future munitions; warfighting concepts designed to deter China; and factors shaping tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force.
If you want to watch all of the ASC Events discussed in the podcast you can find them here:
National Defense Strategy and Future Force
Space Acquisition to Lethality
The Need for DoD Cost Effectiveness Analysis
First Principles of Airpower: Getting to a Design that Wins
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, 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 “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Chris Stone, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Research Center
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies
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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Sep 25, 2021
Saturday Sep 25, 2021
Episode 41 – Strategic Nuclear Deterrence: What are Americans Thinking?
Episode Summary:
In episode 41 of the Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Advantage podcast, Strategic Nuclear Deterrence: What are Americans Thinking? the team delves into the realm of public opinion regarding one of the most consequential aspects of U.S. national security. As a democracy, public sentiment has a key bearing on future U.S. national security decisions. It’s crucial to know where the public stands on this issue given that all segments of the triad are set for modernization. Mitchell Institute, in collaboration with Seven Letter Insight, conducted a poll to better understand these dynamics. The results were both surprising and illuminating. Join us for a conversation that extends past the standard talking points normally heard surrounding nuclear deterrence.
You can find the full poll and study here: Understanding American Voters’ Sentiment on Strategic Nuclear Deterrence
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: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Matt George, Partner and Head of Research, Seven Letter Insight
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
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