Defense & Aerospace Report

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 when the Trump administration will disclose the details of it’s “skinny budget” request as congressional oversight committees start hearings; whether the so-called Department of Government Efficiency will have have a positive lasting impact in driving necessary and overdue reforms; nuances and takeaways from the latest conflict between India and Pakistan; changes in warfare as reflected at the SOF Week 2025 conference and tradeshow; what the nomination of industry veteran Jeffrey Bornstein as DoD comptroller; Vice President Vance’s different tone at the Washington edition of the Munich Security Conference; 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 an unusually quiet down week on Wall Street; India and Pakistan’s military strikes and ceasefire; expectations as US and Chinese trade negotiators convene in Geneva after Washington strikes a preliminary deal with London to ease tariffs, a template, officials say, for future deals to put pressure on Beijing; IAG buys 53 new big jets from Boeing and Airbus for $10 billion; the Commerce Department’s investigation into the national security implications of buying foreign-made aerospace components and jet engines; the German, French, Polish and British leaders’ visit to Kyiv where they announced a 30-day ceasefire with Russia starting on Monday; the Army’s decision to retire AH-64D Apache helicopters in the scout role as well as Grey Eagle and Shadow drones, and the GE’s new T901 engine; Hensoldt, Leonard, MTU, Rheinmetall report earnings; takeaways from the Milken Institute Global Conference; and Stratolaunch’s successful tests of its Talon-A2 reusable hypersonic test vehicle.

Join experts Michael Herson, a leading defense lobbyist, Dov Zakheim, a former Pentagon comptroller, Jim Townsend, ex-Pentagon Europe chief, and Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific security authority, as they dissect the intricacies of President Trump’s proposed $1 trillion defense budget. They delve into the potential cuts to military leadership and explore the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The conversation also touches on crucial geopolitical trade talks and highlights the complex international dynamics involving Russia, Ukraine, and Europe.

The US is building new generations of aircraft, but how much good are they if their bases can’t survive attack? Tim Walton of the Hudson Institute and CNAS’s Tom Shugart have a new report on just this topic, and they join us to get into the details of base vulnerability and defense. Plus headlines in airpower. Powered by GE!

On today’s Technology Report, Joe Kochan, the chief executive officer of the National Spectrum Consortium, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the importance of better management and sharing of limited spectrum for national security needs, how President Trump’s top priority “Golden Dome” air and missile defense network will impact the spectrum, investment in new technologies to get more from limited bandwidth, the best model for government-industry cooperation, and Congress’ role in shaping the future of an ecosystem vital to economic prosperity and national defense.

Mark Montgomery, a retired US Navy rear admiral and senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the intricate dynamics of a proposed $1 trillion defense budget amidst significant spending cuts. He emphasizes the critical role of soft power investments in countering disinformation from Russia and China. Montgomery highlights the urgent need for enhancements in cybersecurity and naval capabilities while analyzing the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the resilience of its military officials, showcasing how budget decisions impact national security strategies.

On this week’s Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss the Trump administration’s proposed $1 trillion “skinny” budget request; gauging tariff impacts as President Trump constantly shifts his stance; transformation at the Pentagon as Army shifts resources; outlook for Ukraine war; takeaways from Modern Day Marine; 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 another up week on Wall Street allowed investors recoup losses since President Trump’s unprecedented tariffs, but strategists warn conditions for sustained growth don’t exist; the administration proposed “skinny budget” to boost defense spending by 13 percent to $1 trillion; China’s openness to tariff talks as Britain’s Chancellor Rachel Reeves calls on Washington to make a deal; frustrated Boeing’s delays on new Air Force Ones, Trump asks L3Harris to convert a former Qatari royal family 747-8 as an interim measure; Washington approves a $350 million deal with Ukraine for F-16 maintenance and training as the CIA’s former director of operations Ralph Goff says that the Biden administration gave Ukraine enough weapons not to lose but not enough to win against Russia; Airbus, AeroCap, Albany International, Bombardier, Crane, Garmin, HEICO, HII, Howmet, Leonardo DRS, and Rolls-Royce report earnings; Boeing’s decision to sell its Jeppeson unit to Thoma Bravo and what it means for the commercial airplane giant’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems; and a $3.5 billion missile sale to Saudi Arabia as the president prepares to visit Riyadh, Qatar and the UAE.

Join defense insiders Michael Herson, Dov Zakheim, Jim Townsend, and Patrick Cronin as they unpack the Trump administration's bold $1 trillion defense budget, focusing on missile defense and military pay raises. They delve into Congress's defense budget negotiations and the disarray within the Democratic Party. With high-stakes shifts in U.S.-China trade talks and the geopolitical landscape including Ukraine and Taiwan, they highlight the urgent need for stable U.S. leadership amid rising global tensions.

The US Air Force is building an uninhabited future with its collaborative combat aircraft. There’s been a lot of focus on their capabilities and procurement, but not so much on how to keep them effective in the fight. Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute, joins us to fill in that critical blank. Plus other headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!