The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 211 — Building the Precision Strike Arsenal We Need: The Mass Challenge

Nov 23, 2024

Joining the discussion are Jeff Peters, Deputy VP at BAE Systems, Dr. Kathy Bihari, Technical Director at BAE, and John JV Venable from the Mitchell Institute. They tackle the pressing need for a robust inventory of precision strike munitions for the U.S. military. The conversation delves into challenges in production, including budget constraints and the necessity of a diversified supply chain. They explore innovative strategies for enhancing military readiness and the evolution of weapon systems that ensure effectiveness in modern warfare.

56:44

Creator website

Episode guests

John JV Venable

Dr. Kathy Bihari

Jeff Peters

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The U.S. Air Force must develop a munitions strategy focusing on affordable mass to ensure adequate firepower against modern threats.

Challenges in production rates and supply chain consolidation hinder the military's ability to quickly scale munitions during crises.

Collaborating with allies and developing modular munitions can enhance collective defense readiness and improve capabilities in joint operations.

Deep dives

The Importance of Munitions in Modern Warfare

Aircraft like the B-2 and F-35 are impressive, but their true effectiveness hinges on the munitions they deliver. In complex modern warfare, achieving mission objectives relies heavily on advanced missiles, bombs, and electronic warfare capabilities that have evolved significantly since World War II. The capabilities of today's munitions demand careful consideration, as they are difficult to produce and expensive, contrasting sharply with the high-volume, low-cost munitions of the past. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine illustrates the critical need to maintain a robust arsenal, as exhausted munitions supplies could endanger operational effectiveness.

Intro

3min

Modern Munitions Challenges

21min

Scaling Defense Production: Strategies for a Sustainable Supply Chain

3min

Precision Strike Evolution

6min

Navigating Military Agility with WOSA

16min

Innovative Solutions for Military Readiness through Technology Integration

2min

Evaluating Weapon Effectiveness

6min

Episode Summary:

In this Aerospace Advantage episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats about how we gain the combination of advanced capabilities and necessary mass for tomorrow’s munition’s inventory with Jeff Peters and Dr. Kathy Bihari of BAE, plus Mitchell Institute’s JV Venable.

There’s no question about it: America requires a large inventory of precision strike munitions to successfully deter opponents, and, if necessary, execute a sustained, high intensity conflict against a peer adversary. The ability to rapidly hit thousands of enemy targets with precision munitions in hundreds of hours is essential to secure victory in the modern era. A variety of factors, especially limited budgets, have long curtailed Department of Defense efforts to secure ample munitions stocks. This is particularly problematic for the Air Force given its responsibilities for projecting the preponderance of striking power over long ranges and behind enemy lines. It’s also important to recognize that all munitions are not created equal. There are various classes and quantities of targets that shape different munitions requirements and costs. This episode will focus on how the Department of Defense and the Air Force work to field a munitions portfolio that provides the necessary mass and achieve the low cost-per-kill and high kills-per-sortie via penetrating aircraft required to defeat peer aggression. Join us to learn from those innovating tomorrow’s solutions.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Jeff Peters, Deputy Vice President & General Manager, Precision Strike & Sensing Solutions, BAE Systems

Guest: Dr. Kathy Bihari, Technical Director for Precision Guidance & Sensing Solutions, BAE Systems

Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace