Defense & Aerospace Report

A changing global military aerospace market requires a wise observer to explain. We went to the summit, Douglas Barrie, Senior Fellow for Military Aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to bring some order to the chaos. He gets into Ukraine lessons, Russian and Chinese airpower, NGAD’s future, and more. All powered by GE Aerospace!

On this month’s innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference  April 23-24 in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Bryan Clark, the director of the Center for Defense Concepts & Technology at the Hudson Institute, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the report he co-authored with his colleagues Dan Patt and Nadia Schadlow — “Ending Self-Imposed Scarcity: Exploiting America’s Commercial Strengths to Mobilize Weapons Production.” To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexdefense.org

On this episode of the Defense & Aerospace Report Strategy Series, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a commissioner on the bi-partisan, bi-cameral National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the commission’s final report released last week, “Charting the Future of Biotechnology.”

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Chris Servello, co-host of our Cavas Ships podcast, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss takeaways from the Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space conference and tradeshow last week; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the continuing defense and aerospace implications of President Trump’s pause on sweeping tariffs for 90 days as he ratcheted up taxes on Chinese goods; Beijing’s retaliation that includes restricting rare earth elements and permanent magnets; executive orders on US export control reform, a maritime strategy and acquisition and program reforms; and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a roller coaster week for world markets as a selloff in US bonds prompted President Trump to pause for 90 days the tariffs he imposed last week; the 10 percent across the board tariffs as well as a 25 percent surcharge on steel and aluminum the president retained; China tariffs of about 150 percent and Beijing retaliation; the bond sell off as yields rose from 3.9 to 4.5 percent and what that means as Congress prepares to borrow more money as lawmakers seek to raise America’s borrowing to cover a massive tax cut package; Delta rescinded its guidance in the fact of uncertainty; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to cancel $5 billion in services contracts; the outlook for US services firms as the government workforce is culled; the administration’s move to halve NASA’s science budget; how US efforts to normalize relations and trade with Russia will impact aerospace markets; the British government’s decision to keep open a steel plant in Scunthorpe; Indonesia’s interest in partnering with Turkey on the Kaan fighter and a new submarine program; and Boeing NGAD investment in St Louis.

Michael Herson, a top defense lobbyist, joins Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute, former Pentagon comptroller Dov Zakheim, and ex-Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend. They dive into how Trump's tariffs are shaking global markets and the U.S.-China trade dynamic. A $5 trillion tax cut debate amidst rising borrowing rates raises eyebrows. Discussions also touch on Ukraine's surge in war production and Bibi Netanyahu's Washington visit. The panel reflects on the geopolitical landscape, implications of U.S. defense strategies, and the Arctic military readiness.

Where do airpower, charity, and bourbon intersect? Retired E-2 Hawkeye legend Rear Admiral Scott Sanders has the answer. And CSIS’s Dr. Tom Karako joins us with the latest on air and missile defense, especially Golden Dome. All powered by GE!

On this episode of the Defense & Aerospace Report Strategy Series, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Becca Wasser and Phil Sheers of the Center for a New American Security join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the new report they coauthored “From Production Lines to Front Lines: Revitalizing the U.S. Defense Industrial Base for Future Great Power Conflict.”

Scott Forney, the president of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss how the electromagnetic catapults and advanced arresting gear developed and made for the first of the Ford class are being improved for subsequent ships; gauging the progress of Chinese efforts to field electromagnetic systems on their carriers; lessons from electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear that are improving other capabilities and products; the Long-Range Maneuvering Projectile; the partnership with RAFAEL to develop the Bullseye precision cruise missile that leverages of the Israeli company’s Icebreaker weapon; work the company is doing on fission power; role in the Trump administration’s “Giolden Dome” air and missile defense system; impact of Trump’s tariffs on performance and more.

Join industry experts Ron Epstein, a market analyst from Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa, an independent equity researcher, and Richard Aboulafia from AeroDynamic Advisory, as they dissect the far-reaching impacts of sweeping tariffs. They discuss how the aerospace and defense sectors are grappling with stock declines, inflation fears, and the threat of recession. The trio also addresses the unpredictable global trade landscape and the implications of tariffs on market dynamics and supplier relationships, all while keeping a close eye on the looming Paris Air Show.