In episode 176 of the Aerospace Advantage, Assessing the FY25 Defense Budget and Spacepower Deep-Dive: The Rendezvous, John “Slick” Baum chats with the Rendezvous team about topics you’ve seen in the national security headlines.

We explore key takeaways from the FY2025 Air Force and Space Force budget requests—why it’s important to boost investment in key mission areas like space control and domain awareness, to the importance of growing aircraft acquisition numbers—especially for types like B-21 and F-35—while also boosting readiness investments.

Congress also needs to ensure Airmen and Guardian end strength is aligned with demand. The reality is that the defense budget caps drove hard choices for this cycle and it’s crucial that Congress reconsider the levels of risk in play and align funding accordingly. We also outline top take aways Space Force, Space Command, and industry leaders shared at last week’s Mitchell Institute Spacepower Security Forum. We wrap with a discussion of the global threat picture.

Guests

Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.)Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Jennifer ReevesSenior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Todd “Sledge” HarmerSenior Vice President, American Defense International

Jeff “Rowli” RowlisonVP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International

Anthony “Lazer” LazarskiPrincipal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Credits