Arlington, VA | January 17, 2023 | The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Looking back at 2022,

Mitchell Institute stands proud of the work the team accomplished in 2022. The numbers speak for themselves: 13 research studies and policy papers; 39 Aerospace Nation video panels with the top aerospace leadership; and 49 podcasts delving into key air and space issues. We did this at a time when national security threats continue to grow. This means the demand for insightful, informed perspectives on air and space power stands higher than ever.

Our expert staff completed research on subjects important to developments in the air and space community, many that correspond to many of Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s Operational Imperatives—everything from long-range strike to technology development and integration, and ongoing modernization efforts. They engaged regularly with senior DOD leadership, members of the government, the press, our friends and allies, and the public on developing geopolitical competitions and conflict like that in Ukraine, growing Chinese threats, and the state of our U.S. Air Force. Mitchell’s contributions to the continuing development of important concepts and capabilities, like JADC2 and ABMS, will carry through into 2023.

In 2022, Mitchell institute enjoyed presenting some of its key insights and hosting national security leaders at the annual AFA Warfare Symposium in March and the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in September. We also enjoyed hosting another West Coast Aerospace Forum in partnership with RAND, Aerospace Corporation, MITRE, and CSIS. Finally, we were honored to participate in the unveiling of the B-21 Raider in December.

Our Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, under the direction of former astronaut and retired Gen Kevin Chilton, published multiple studies on everything from missile warning and tracking to the space domain’s role in realizing a JADC2 concept. In October, the center hosted its first annual day-long Spacepower Security Forum, with senior speakers from Space Force, wider DOD, and partner forces—its fabulous success heralds just how important these topics are to national defense, and how well that is understood through all levels of leadership.

2022 also saw us launch our new Center for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Autonomy Studies, dedicated to elevating and informing the national debate on UAVs, autonomy, and the future of conflict, under the direction of Dr. Caitlin Lee. This included conducting the first in a series of workshops and wargames on future unmanned autonomous and collaborative aircraft for great power conflict. The overwhelming response to this project is a key indicator to us and those in the department that these efforts need to be continued.

Finally, our Aerospace Advantage Podcast hit its 100th episode and remains one of the top-ranked air and space podcasts on all platforms. Thank you for listening!

As we look to 2023, the Mitchell Institute is taking on its most ambitious research and projects plan ever. Our focus remains on the topics relevant to important strategy, policy, and acquisition developments in the community. Our staff is growing, and our work is proliferating and penetrating the places and populations it’s most needed during this critical juncture in our nation’s defense. The decisions being made now will affect our safety and security for decades to come. Thank you for your continued support, and have a great aerospace power kind of 2023!