In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest air and space power developments in Washington DC.

We explore President Trump’s defense priorities, including recent top defense leadership changes. The team also provides a Ukraine update and assess where defense issues stand in Congress, especially the budget. Another major development includes Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s defense budget guidance and what it means for the Air Force and Space Force. Part of this includes defense civilian workforce reductions. On the operational front, we discuss the latest Minuteman ICBM test launch and broader triad issues. We also provide a Spacepower update—a lot has been going on in that domain. Finally, we look at the next generation advanced propulsion (NGAP) contract awards and explain why these efforts are critical for tomorrow’s combat airpower.

Guests

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

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

Todd “Sledge” HarmerSenior Vice President, American Defense International

Anthony “Lazer” LazarskiPrincipal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Host

Heather PenneySenior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Credits

Related Reading

• Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts
• US Space Force reveals 1st look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit (photo)

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