Defense & Aerospace Report

Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at the Hudson Institute, Michael Herson from American Defense International, and former Pentagon comptroller Dov Zakheim discuss crucial geopolitical shifts. They dive into Trump's return to the White House, highlighting his controversial commitment to increase defense spending and bolster NATO contributions. The trio analyzes the potential impacts of Trump's policy reversals, from promises of economic sanctions on Russia to the turmoil in Israel post-resignation of military leaders, all while navigating the complexities of U.S. foreign policy.

In a candid discussion, Frank Kendall, the 26th Secretary of the Department of the Air Force, shares his insights on the future of U.S. airpower and the challenges in military modernization. He addresses China's growing capabilities and the need for innovation in response. Kendall discusses the complexities of updating aircrew training and the importance of funding for enhanced military operations. Moreover, he navigates the critical geopolitical dynamics involving Taiwan and Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity for strong alliances and strategic deterrence.

Justin Sherman, the founder of Global Cyber Strategies advisory firm and nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss why it’s important to ban TikTok, the supply chain questions raised by the Chinese social media app; what makes similar apps problematic from a security standpoint and what needs to happen to address known vulnerabilities; whether the sale of the US side of TikTok solves the problem; some cyber priorities for the incoming administration; why curtailing cyber regulation will undermine collective security at a time when adversaries are stepping up their cyber game and penetrating critical US and allied communications and other networks; how to counter Russian and Chinese operations to disrupt critical undersea infrastructure; and ways to increase the production of cyber talent.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners and Chris Servello, the co-host of our Cavas Ships podcast joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss President Trump’s first day in office; messages from the inauguration, executive orders and actions since; the firing of Adm. Linda Fagan as US Coast Guard commandant and other senior military changes under guise of countering diversity, equity and inclusion; Trump’s comments about using force to take the Panama Canal, targeting drug cartels in Mexico, Greenland as well as tariffs on Canada and Mexico; the defense budget outlook as both GOP and Freedom Caucus members call for dramatic increased in the Pentagon budget of $200 billion or more over the coming years; outlook for shipbuilding expect at the Surface Navy Association’s conference and tradeshow; and a look at the week ahead.

In this engaging discussion, Ron Epstein from Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia from AeroDynamic Advisory dive into the booming defense and aerospace sectors. They analyze Wall Street's positive performance as military spending soars, with proposals for a significant Pentagon budget increase. The trio also examines Boeing's recent challenges and successes amidst a growing backlog of parked jetliners. Additionally, they tackle the implications of tariffs and geopolitical tensions on industry dynamics.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Senate confirmation of President-elect Trump’s cabinet appointments including Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence as Congress weighs appropriations, a reconciliation package and a debt ceiling increase; covering California wildfire costs; Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire that will see several hundred Palestinian prisoners traded from 33 Israeli hostages, half of whom are dead; why Republicans forced the resignation of Lockheed Martin’s widely respected head of government affairs; Ukraine war update and what’s next as Trump returns to office; Trump and Xi Jingping talk by phone before the inauguration; the revelation of Beijing’s new amphibious capabilities as Chinese planes and ships encircle Taiwan; the South Korea’s impeached President Yeon Suk Yeol detention; and President Biden’s legacy as he ends decades of service in elected office including his farewell remarks that warned of a “tech industrial complex” led by unaccountable billionaire oligarchs and undermines democracy.

We continue looking ahead to airpower issues in the coming year with Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, Director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. And we have your airpower headlines. Powered by GE!

On this month’s innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference this April in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Bryan Clark, the director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute think tank, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss his new report — Winning the Fight for Sensing and Sensemaking  — why DoD needs a strategy to degrade China’s sensing as well as command and control; how China’s seabed to cislunar sensing networks compare to US capabilities; vulnerabilities of China’s networks compared to those of the United States; how the Pentagon should connect a counter-sensing and network disruption strategy with kinetic effects; the logic of being able to counter China’s sensing and sensemaking capabilities in peacetime; progress report on US efforts to counter China’s C5ISR capabilities; scaling cyber and electronic warfare capabilities and encourage new defense economy firms to the segment; and an update on planning for the Apex innovation conference. To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexdefense.org

Paul Lemmo, the vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors unit, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss how the company in two years went from contract signing to a successful live exo-atmospheric intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile target for the Aegis Guam System that’s key for the defense of the key Pacific island; the key to delivering capabilities at speed, whether testing new missile defenses or new frigates; his unit’s role in developing radar and combat systems for Australian, Canadian and Spanish warship programs; global growth prospects while navigating trade and security challenges as a new administration takes office; partnering with suppliers to ensure access to systems and components vital to keeping programs on schedule; recruiting and retaining top talent in a competitive market; lessons from the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift program that demanded competitors share development costs; and his company’s unique ability to integrate complex sensor, combat and weapon systems.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the economic and geopolitical implications President-elect Trump’s comments on tariffs as well as the Panama Canal, Greenland and Canada; whether the comments will fuel higher inflation that will have to be factored into defense planning; Pentagon budget outlook as the outgoing Biden administration is reported to expected to ask for $1 trillion in 2026; cost of massive California wildfires and other climate-related disasters on federal spending; confirmation outlook for Trump’s nominees including Pete Hegseth as defense secretary as Senate hearings begin; takeaways from Israel’s Nagel Report that identifies Turkey as a threat and urges Jerusalem to reduce reliance on US as a security partner after a second Trump administration; BWXT’s acquisition of Kinectrics; what to expect at the Surface Navy Association’s conference and tradeshow; and a look at the week ahead.