Defense & Aerospace Report

Join experts Patrick Cronin, Michael Herson, Jim Townsend, and Dov Zakheim as they dissect recent geopolitical upheavals. They explore President Trump’s contentious reaction to a tragic air disaster and the implications of his policies on defense budgets and safety. The group discusses Europe’s strategies regarding a potential second Trump term and Asia’s concerns about U.S. foreign policy, particularly relating to borders and the Ukraine conflict. Finally, they examine Syria’s turbulent leadership and the regional ramifications.

Force fields aren’t just the stuff of sci-fi; a company called Epirus is making them real. CEO Andy Lowery shows us a new kind of air defense. CSIS’s Dr. Tom Karako on America’s Iron Dome. And we have headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!

On this innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference in Washington between April 23-24, 2025 — sponsored by Clarion Defence — Keith Flynn, the senior vice president for production at Anduril, and Dr. Zach Mears, the company’s senior vice president for strategy, join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the five-million-square-foot Arsenal I engineering, development and production facility in Columbus, Ohio; production schedules and recruiting talent; how the adoption of automotive mass production techniques can accelerate arms production; adapting systems design to ensure ease of production; working with a new administration committed to expanding and speeding weapons manufacture to streamline the process of building the new plant; navigating supply chain challenges and controlling cost through design changes and deciding what to buy from vendors and what to make in-house; and the supply chain and sales implications of tariffs and strained alliance relationship; and when to expect Arsenal II. To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexevents.org

On this Land Warfare episode, sponsored by American Rheinmetall, military strategist and land warfare advisor William F Owen — better known as Wilf Owen — joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss his new book “Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today;” lessons from the Ukraine war; how to improve the lessons learned process to glean the right insights from conflicts; debunking the notion of “complexity;” putting the threat from drones in context and a case for the continued importance of tanks; and lessons from Israel’s wars on Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Houthis in Yemen.

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 the Trump administration’s first week; Pete Hegseth as the nation’s 29th defense secretary; whether the chairman and service chiefs will lost their jobs or retire over the coming months; repercussions of Trump’s “aggressive” call with the Danish prime minister over Greenland, the Panama Canal and spat with Colombia over deportations; look ahead to earnings as Boeing pre-reports another $4 billion loss; 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 strong week on Wall Street as investors work to determine the impact of Donald Trump’s policies a week into his second administration, from widely expected tax cuts, defense spending increases and war on migrants to what higher tariffs, trade wars and rising tensions with allies will mean including the president’s “aggressive” conversation over gaining ownership of Greenland with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederickson; as some worry Trump’s rhetoric could undermine US weapons sales worldwide Poland’s Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz urges allies to curry favor with Trump by buying more US weapons; NATO considers sharing highly classified capability assessments with industry to speed weapons development; Boeing preannounces another $4 billion in losses as it prepares to report earnings; what Embraer’s next jetliner should look like; update on Blue Origin’s New Glenn and SpaceX’s Starship programs; and the industry-wide impacts of California’s devastating fires.

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.