Aerospace Advantage

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to present the Aerospace Advantage, with veteran fighter pilot and Senior Resident Fellow Heather “Lucky” Penney as the host.
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.

In this Rendezvous episode, we explore recent news from Ukraine, especially the Wagner Group’s rebellion in Russia. We also discuss how the defense bills are progressing through both the Senate and House—evaluating how priorities are faring as they work through the markup process in the various committees. We also discuss the Hill’s take on “divest to invest.”

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In this episode we discuss the ascent of commercial capabilities to secure national security effects in, through, and by space. Douglas Birkey chats with Even Rogers, CEO of True Anomaly, a former Air Force weapons officer and a contributing author of the inaugural Space Force doctrine; Steve Kitay, Senior Director of Azure Space at Microsoft and a former Deputy Assist Secretary of Defense for Space Policy at DoD; and Mitchell Institute’s Tim Ryan.

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John “Slick” Baum chats with longtime AFSOC pilot Col Sarah Brehm, veteran defense leader Mr. Jim “Hondo” Geurts, and AFSOC Special Tactics Officer Lt Col Steve Cooper about the United States Special Operations Command’s core values, what they call SOF Truths.

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In this Rendezvous episode, we explore the new budget deal and its implications for defense. We also talk about how Air Force and Space Force requests are faring on The Hill as the defense committees advance their annual authorization and appropriations bills. Our panelists also assess the legislation that was introduced by Rep Bacon (R-NE) regarding ANG fighter capacity and provide an update about the latest developments in Ukraine. We wrap with an update regarding national security space issues.

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John Baum discusses what happens when an F-35 rolls off the production line and executes its first flights with Lockheed Martin F-35 test pilot Tony “Brick” Wilson and J.R. McDonald, Vice President for F-35 Business Development.

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Doug Birkey discusses a looming capacity cliff with Maj Gen Paul Rogers, the Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard; Brig Gen Tim Donnellan, Commander of the Idaho Air National Guard; along with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute.

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The MISPACE Team chat about the 2nd Annual Spacepower Security Forum. From the Chief of Space Operations, Gen B. Chance Saltzman, talking about “Competitive Endurance” and Lt Gen Burt on the critical missile warning and tracking missions, to Maj Gen Miller discussing how to protect and defend space capabilities and more!

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The war in Ukraine has turned the world’s attention to the game-changing potential of networked, autonomous drone technologies. But to what extent are the lessons learned from Ukraine relevant to the Indo-Pacific theater? John Baum chats with drone experts Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analysis and Mitchell Institute’s own Dr. Caitlin Lee.

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In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss Congress’ reaction to the FY24 defense budget submission, with a special focus on air and space power. We explore China and Russia’s increasing alignment, plus the latest developments in Ukraine. We round out the conversation discussing key trends with the Air Force’s fighter inventories, along with hot button topics that will garner significant attention on Capitol Hill this year, like engine options for the F-35 and future tanker plans.

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