In Episode 94 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, The Future of Autonomy and Combat Airpower: Building the Tech, host John Baum chats with Heather Penney of Mitchell Institute, Mike Benitez of Shield AI, Brett Darcey of Heron Systems, and John Dowdy, who works on aerospace issues at McKinsey, in the second of our three-part series regarding combat airpower and autonomy. During the first episode, we explored what’s driving the quest for increased autonomy in combat airpower. On this episode, we define key aspects and nuances surrounding this this technology, while also working to add clarity between realistic expectations and what will likely remain aspirational for the long term. It’s crucial to understand what’s a prudent expectation versus a sci-fi vision. Guests also explore the challenges that we’re going to need to overcome when it comes to acquiring, building, testing, and fielding autonomy-empowered combat aircraft.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Heather Penney, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Mike “Pako” Benitez, Shield AI

Guest: Brett Darcey, Heron Systems

Guest: John Dowdy, McKinsey

Image Credit: Shield AI

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