Defense & Aerospace Report Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast [Nov 13, 25] Season 3 E43: Pilot Project
Nov 13, 2025
Mark Gunzinger, a director at the Mitchell Institute and former B-52 pilot with over 3,000 flight hours, dives into the future of bomber missions. He critiques the single-pilot concept for long-range missions, emphasizing the need for two pilots to handle emergencies and complex mission systems. Gunzinger highlights the risks of relying on automation, arguing it could compromise mission safety. He also discusses the challenges of pilot shortages versus flying capacity, urging investment in crew ratios to maintain effectiveness in operations.
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33‑Hour Long‑Range Bomber Sortie
- Mark Gunzinger described flying a 33-hour B-52 mission from Minot to Egypt and back during a live bombing demonstration.
- The sortie included seven refuelings, an engine loss, heavy weather, and long autopilot cruise segments.
Automation Can't Replace Airmanship
- B-21 is a warbird, not a bizjet, and long missions expose system failures and combat damage risks.
- Automation can't replace the need for two pilots who can handle emergencies and critical flight phases.
Raise Bomber Crew Ratios
- Increase crew ratios toward two crews per combat-capable bomber to sustain multi-sortie air campaigns.
- Invest in more pilots, resources, and flying hours to support campaign‑level operations, not just one-off raids.