John Baum chats about the challenges of operating drone swarms during a great power conflict with Dr. Doug Meador, the Autonomous Collaborative Vehicles Portfolio manager within AFRL's Aerospace Systems Directorate; Lt Colonel Ryan “SCUDS” Slaughter, the lead for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms in the Headquarters AF Strategy, Integration and Requirements directorate; plus Caitlin Lee and Mark Gunzinger from the Mitchell Institute team.
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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.
Ep. 111 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Drama and Defense, New F-35 Contract, Space Update, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss how the struggle to elect a Speaker of the House has implications for defense. We also discuss the latest F-35 contract and how new pricing will impact the future of the program. Plus we assess the challenges and opportunities for the Space Force as we look to 2023.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Dr. Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies along with Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Col Michael “Mongo” Kingry of our Mitchell Institute team about key takeaways from the Ukraine-Russia war. This episode explores the strategies and tactics the combatants are employing, the hardware they are bringing to the fight, and what it means for the wider war. We’ll also look at what lessons can be learned by NATO and the United States as war rages in Eastern Europe and adversaries around the globe evaluate the Western response.
In Part 2 of this series, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. This week, we hear stories from Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Chris "Jekyll" Brunner, Heather Penney, and Slick.
In Part 1 of this series, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. This week, we hear stories from Lt Gen Joseph Guastella Jr., USAF (Ret.), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark Gunzinger, plus Air Force Fellows Lt Col Michael Kingry and Lt Col Sarah Brehm.
John “Slick” Baum visits Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production line in Fort Worth, TX, where he chats with Steve Howes, vice president for F-35 production operations, and J.R. McDonald, vice president for F-35 business development.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark Gunzinger, and Doug Birkey of the Mitchell Institute team about their experiences at the B-21 rollout and what the future will hold for America’s newest bomber.
Ep. 105 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Update, B-21 Rollout, & CCA Vectors: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we consider how the Congressional election results will impact defense priorities on The Hill, thoughts regarding the FY24 defense budget submission, latest developments for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), the latest news regarding Ukraine, our thoughts on long range strike, and what it will take for the defense bills to cross the finish line this year.
The arrival of the B-21 into America’s airpower arsenal stands as a crucially important step in rebuilding long-range strike capabilities and capacity in support of Combatant Commander demands. If you want to understand the B-21 that will be unveiled this coming week, you need to listen to this episode.
John Baum chats with China expert Daniel Rice about a set of capabilities the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) may bring to bear in a possible future cross-strait conflict.
John Baum chats with Tim Ryan and Doug Birkey of the Mitchell Institute team about the essential role that capabilities in space will play in realizing the Department of Defense’s vision for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2).
Ep. 101 - The Rendezvous
B-21 Update, China Assessment, Election Implications for Defense, & F-15s Sunsetting at Kadena: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we assess the newly-released National Defense Strategy, status of the B-21 program as we anticipate the rollout, Heritage Foundation’s 2023 Index of Military Strength, China’s Communist Party Congress, F-15s sunsetting at Okinawa absent a direct replacement, and how the upcoming elections could impact defense issues. We also provide an update regarding the National Defense Authorization Act and where the Defense Appropriations legislation stands. We wrap with a review of this year's Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Security Forum.
John Baum chats with Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute about key factors the Air Force should consider as it works to transform its vision for these next generation UAVs into viable operational assets.
This week, Dr. Christina Back of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems joins us to discuss why it is crucial to pursue next generation propulsion technologies to enhance space maneuvering.
The aerospace sector is facing significant turbulence. Surging demand for military recapitalization after a multi-decade drought, a commercial segment ravaged by COVID, new entrants in the UAV and space sector, and competition for talent from the tech world is making for a very challenging set of dynamics. This episode will assess the health of this sector and steps that can be taken to ensure the long-term viability of this capability and capacity.