Hear from Squadron Leader Stewart Campbell of the Royal Air Force, Lt Col Maurizio “Driver” De Guida of the Italian Air Force, and Lt Col Gert Barend “Razor” Van Woerden of the Royal Netherlands Air Force about what it’s like to bring 5th generation combat aviation to their respective air forces.
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Every week, Heather “Lucky” Penney will take 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.
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.
Ep. - The Rendezvous
The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss how Congress is responding to the Air Force and Space Force budget submissions, with funding decisions ultimately determined by Congressional defense committees. The episode covers a wide range of topics, including specific programs like the F-35 and GBSD, Space Force priorities, readiness issues, and individual member perspectives.
John Baum speaks to combat aviators and technical experts about how the game of finding and striking air-to-air targets is rapidly evolving. This episode explores a key technology: infrared search and track, or IRST for short.
Major Alex Wallis explores why the information advantage is crucial at the tactical edge of the battle space. It’s all about understanding how to maximize a relative position to best achieve the mission, while avoiding or minimizing threats.
Heather Penney discusses how the Air Force can rejuvenate the aerospace industrial base to achieve a force that can innovatively outpace peer adversaries.
Ep. 25 - The Rendezvous
The Rendezvous: The FY22 Defense Budget Request
In this episode of The Rendezvous (Previously The Merge), the Mitchell Institute team discusses the implications of the FY2022 defense budget submission, highlighting the challenges of balancing next-generation air and space technologies with capacity, while addressing the demands of establishing the Space Force. Experts assess the strengths and weaknesses of the budget and its impact on the future of the Air Force and Space Force.
John “Slick” Baum sits down with Maj Chris Olsen to discuss air and space power innovation. Learn how the Air Force identifies challenges, explores how technology can be part of the solution, and then invents what was previously the impossible.
B-1 pilot Lt Col Mark “Moses” Kimball discussed what it’s like to strap into an iconic bomber, roar down the runway, and execute a combat mission.
Mitchell Institute experts Mark Gunzinger and Lukas Autenried discuss their new research study, Building a Force That Wins: Recommendations for the 2022 National Defense Strategy. They explore the military attributes that are required to meet tomorrow’s national security challenges.
Ep. 21 - The Rendezvous
The Merge: National Security Space and the Future of Air-to-Ground Munitions
The Merge is back! 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.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Mike Wigston, the head of the Royal Air Force, sits down with Mitchell Institute Dean Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Executive Director Doug Birkey for an in-depth conversation regarding key opportunities and challenges facing his service.
Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Heather "Lucky" Penney, and Maj Justin "Hasard" Lee discuss the evolution of the F-4, F-16, and F-35.
Ever since it took flight, the B-2 stands as one of the most lethal, combat capable, and technologically advanced aircraft ever invented. Join us for an in-depth conversation with seasoned B-2 pilots Col. Keith Butler, Commander of the 509th Operations Group, and Lt. Col. Christopher Conant, Commander of the 393d Bomb Squadron of the 509th Bomb Wing.
Ep. 17 - The Rendezvous
The Merge: Bomber Task Force Missions, Jointness Under Attack, and Modernization Choices
The Merge is back! Mitchell Institute experts discuss the impact of Global Strike’s bomber task force missions; a showdown that is emerging between the services regarding the principles underpinning jointness; and whether 2021 will see the Air Force seek to retire more aircraft in a quest to free up resources for modernization.