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 Jul 10, 2021
Saturday Jul 10, 2021
Episode 30 – Space Force Innovation? The Threat of Over-Classification
Episode Summary:
In episode 30 of the Aerospace Advantage, Space Force Innovation? The Threat of Over-Classification, join host John Baum as he takes you into the land of secrets involving space strategy, operations, and industrial innovation. And guess what, our thesis is point blank direct: things are simply too classified. How we protect highly classified information for the sake of national security limits Space Force's access to a vast global market of talent and technology, impedes effective communications with Congress and the public, and ultimately constrains the growth of the nation's spacepower. The challenge is how to protect information whose release could damage the nation's security, while also building a spacepower advantage needed to deter war, or if necessary, win in conflict.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, The Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center
Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Lawrence “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Chris Stone, Senior Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center
Links:
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies
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Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
Episode 29 – The Rendezvous
Episode Summary:
In episode 29 of the Aerospace Advantage, The Rendezvous, join host John Baum as he speaks to members of the Mitchell Institute team about how Congress is responding to the Air Force and Space Force budget submissions. As you know, the Administration submits a budget request, but the actual dollars that the services will see are determined by Congress. And that is largely driven by the defense committees in the House and Senate. So whether talking about specific programs like the F-35 and GBSD, Space Force priorities, readiness issues, or individual Member perspectives, this episode covers a broad range of important air and space topics that have been dominating recent Congressional defense hearings.
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: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center
Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Mitchell Institute Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, 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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Jun 26, 2021
Saturday Jun 26, 2021
Episode 28 – Next Generation Air-to-Air Targeting
Episode Summary:
In episode 28 of the Aerospace Advantage, Next Generation Air-to-Air Targeting, join host John Baum as he speaks to combat aviators and technical experts about how the game of finding and striking air-to-air targets is rapidly evolving. Modern air combat is increasingly complex, demanding tremendous situational awareness to make split second decisions that will make the difference between life and death. It takes sensors to harvest data and processing power to turn it into actionable information. Adversaries understand the value of information, so they do everything in their power to blind us. That’s what electronic jamming is all about, and it’s why they are pursuing stealth. So, for us to maintain an edge, we need to pursue numerous concurrent pathways of sourcing data to the adversary can’t block us in one move. This episode explores one of those key technologies: infrared search and track, or IRST for short.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Jim Ni, IRST Product Development Manager, Lockheed Martin
Guest: Commander Eric McQueen, US Navy, Navy Federal Executive Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Guest: Col (ret.) Patrick “Smack” McKenzie, Advanced Targeting Systems, Lockheed Martin
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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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Jun 19, 2021
Saturday Jun 19, 2021
Episode 27 – Guiding the Fight: Airborne Command and Control
Episode Summary:
In episode 27 of the Aerospace Advantage, Guiding the Fight: Airborne Command and Control, join battle manager Major Alex Wallis to explore why the information advantage is crucial at the tactical edge of the battle space. For decades, the E-3 AWACS and E-8 JSTARS have defined the command and control mission, their 707 airframes and huge radars are unmistakable icons. However, given the rapid evolution of technology in the information age, the way in which these missions are executed is going to change—whether talking about the power of space-based assets, artificial intelligence, or increased connectivity. What won’t change is the continued importance of command and control. It’s all about understanding how to maximize a relative position to best achieve the mission, while avoiding or minimizing threats. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the ground or in the air—information is life.
Maj Alex Wallis 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 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 Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis, USAF
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Jun 12, 2021
Saturday Jun 12, 2021
Episode 26 – Producing an Agile Air Force: The Case for Change
Episode Summary:
In episode 26 of the Aerospace Advantage: Producing an Agile Air Force: The Case for Change, Heather Penney explains why the Air Force is the oldest and smallest that it has ever been. For decades, the service has been unable to effectively transform and scale its force design into one that is positioned to meet the nation’s future security needs. The problem isn’t simply budget. Decades of acquisition behavior have decreased competition, forcing the defense industry to consolidate, focus on system integration, and shift profit centers away from innovation and production and towards sustainment. This episode explores how the Air Force can rejuvenate the aerospace industrial base to achieve a force that can innovatively outpace peer adversaries.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, 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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday Jun 05, 2021
Saturday Jun 05, 2021
Episode 25 – The Rendezvous: The FY22 Defense Budget Request
Episode Summary:
In episode 25 of the Aerospace Advantage: The Rendezvous the Mitchell Institute team discusses their initial impressions of the FY2022 defense budget submission to Congress, which has significant implications for the future of the Air Force and Space Force. Demands around the globe are calling for a new generation of air and space capabilities. While next generation technologies are important, so too is capacity. This leaves leaders striving to achieve a delicate balance. Add the demands of standing up a new service in the form of the Space Force, and this is a challenging endeavor. Hear our experts assess the strengths and weaknesses of this budget and what it will ultimately mean for tomorrow’s airmen and guardians.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Research Center
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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, 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
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Friday May 28, 2021
Friday May 28, 2021
Episode 24 – Engineering the Future: Air Force S&T
Episode Summary:
In episode 24 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast: Engineering the Future: Air Force S&T, host John “Slick” Baum sits down with Maj Chris Olsen to discuss air and space power innovation.
As an Air Force engineer, Maj Olsen has worked on some of the most sophisticated programs in the service’s science and technology portfolio—including manned-unmanned teaming and autonomy. It’s no secret that the history of aerospace power is full of technological competitions. Miss a step on the technological ladder and you could find yourself on the losing side of a war.
Learn how the Air Force identifies challenges, explores how technology can be part of the solution, and then invents what was previously the impossible. It all comes down to people with the right insights, drive, and determination.
Maj Chris Olsen 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 John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Maj Chris Olsen, USAF
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday May 22, 2021
Saturday May 22, 2021
Episode 23 – B-1 Flight Ops: Bad to the Bone
Episode Summary:
In episode 23 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast: B-1 Flight Ops: Bad to the Bone, Host John “Slick” Baum sits down with B-1 pilot Lt Col Mark “Moses” Kimball to discuss what it’s like to strap into an iconic bomber, roar down the runway, and execute a combat mission. No aircraft can match the record of the workhorse B-1, which has fought and flown non-stop over the past 20 years. In the wake of the attacks of September 11th, when America and its allies launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, this aircraft was at the forefront of the action. The reason for this was simple: we had few regional bases in the area. The B-1’s range and payload allowed it to conduct missions few other aircraft could match. This was especially important given how stretched thin tankers were at the time, making the attributes of the B-1 invaluable. As the conflict evolved, the demand for the B-1 never declined. The kickoff of Operation Iraqi Freedom grew the aircraft’s popularity even more. This meant the B-1 community was flying combat operations on a non-stop basis for nearly two decades. This was far from easy, but the aircrews and maintainers answered the call.
Lt Col Kimball 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 John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Lt Col Mark “Moses” Kimball, USAF
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday May 15, 2021
Saturday May 15, 2021
Episode 22 – Building the Force to Win: Advice for the Biden Defense Team
Episode Summary:
In episode 22 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast: “Building the Force to Win: Advice for the Biden Defense Team,” Mitchell Institute experts Mark Gunzinger and Lukas Autenried explore the military attributes that are required to meet tomorrow’s national security challenges. Every four years, as prescribed by Congress, each administration must evaluate the global threat picture and chart a corresponding forward vector. This is an exceedingly important process that must focus on the challenges as they are, not what might be convenient to believe. This overarching framework, known as the National Defense Strategy, is what drives a broad range of decisions, ranging from strategy and operational concepts, to buying new weapons systems to sizing force structure. This episode explores this process, with Gunzinger and Autenried offering their recommendations for what it will take to prevail.
Credits:
Host: Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.
Guest host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Daniel C. Rice
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Lukas Autenried, Senior Analyst, 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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!
Saturday May 01, 2021
Saturday May 01, 2021
Episode 21 – The Merge: National Security Space and the Future of Air-to-Ground Munitions
Episode Summary:
Join the Mitchell Institute experts for the third installment of “The Merge.” This is your opportunity to hear from leading experts in the air and space community regarding top issues that are in today’s national security debate. This episode introduces Matt Donovan, Mitchell Institute’s new lead for its Spacepower Advantage Research Center and explores his take on the challenges and opportunities facing Space Force and Space Command. Mr. Donovan joins Mitchell after serving as the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Under Secretary of the Air Force, and as a staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Mitchell team also explores new trends that are emerging in the air-to-ground munition realm—a very dynamic field given the return of peer competition.
Full Topic Guide
This week we introduce a new voice to “The Merge”, Matt Donovan, former Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Under Secretary of the Air Force who has joined the Mitchell Institute as the Director of the new Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Research Center (MI-SPARC).
Host John “Slick” Baum introduces Mr. Donovan and the members of the roundtable ask Mr. Donovan his take on some of the key issues facing Space Force and Space Command. Mr. Donovan also describes what his top issue priorities for the MI-SPARC issue agenda.
The team then discusses a key issue facing the Air Force: developing the next generation of air-to-ground munitions that will meet a broad range of emerging requirements. Many of the Air Force’s current air-to-ground munitions are decades’ old. They were designed for a problem set that no longer stacks up with the new requirements unfolding in an renewed era of peer competition. Mitchell experts discuss the attributes that will be increasingly important for these new tools.
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: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Research Center
Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, 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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage
Thank you for your continued support!