Defense & Aerospace Report

On this episode of the DefAero Report Daily Podcast, sponsored by Bell, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners with a year-end review of business, geopolitical and congressional news with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

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 Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the week on world markets as Wall Street surges to record territory after the Federal Reserve says will cut borrowing rates over the coming three years; takeaways from the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act, the rising cost of the US Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent by Northrop Grumman; Boeing and Raytheon get new top leaders; Britain, Italy and Japan sign a treaty to partner on the Global Combat Air Program; the five competitors for USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft contest; and Chemring, British tanks and outlook for Ukraine aid.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, 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 join host Vago Muradian to discuss what’s now that the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act is law, how the administration and Senate Democrats are working with GOP on a border deal to secure Ukraine funding next year, appropriations prospects as measures funding government set to expire in January, Vladimir Putin’s claim to be winning in Ukraine as EU opens accession process with Kyiv and Hungary blocks $50 billion in European aid for Ukraine, why US policymakers have to pay closer attention to Russia’s alliance with North Korea, implications of the White House backing a longer Israeli campaign against Hamas after initially criticizing Jerusalem for using excessive force against civilians in Gaza as the NDAA gave Israel everything it wanted, Xi Jinping’s state visit to Vietnam, Turkey’s renewed opposition to Sweden’s NATO member, and how Donald Trump is already shaping decision-making in Asia and Europe.

The IndoPacific covers more than a third of the Earth, and General Kenneth “Cruiser” Wilsbach is in charge of it all for the U.S. Air Force. He joins us with the latest on that volatile region and how the Air Force is building capabilities there. With coverage powered by GE!

On today’s program, sponsored by Bell, Peter Van Praagh, the president of HFX that convenes the annual Halifax International Security Forum, discusses they it’s vital to view China, Russia, Iran and North Korea as the “CRINKs” that constitute a coordinated threat to democracies worldwide, how to craft a nuanced strategy to counter then, the vital importance of giving Ukraine the support it needs to win and so diminish the CRINKs, what exactly constitutes the “international community,” the centrality of more clearly messaging to counter the rise of the hard right, what’s next after Israel’s war on Hamas ends, and how to rally global support to solve big problems with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this episode of the Defense & Aerospace Report Strategy Series, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lt. Gen. Tom Copinger-Symes, the deputy commander of Britain’s Strategic Command, discusses relearning timeless lessons from the Ukraine war, the changing nature of advantage and imperative to adapt more rapidly, better integrating capabilities across allies and partners, how stripping bureaucracy from major programs like AUKUS can send a deterrence signal as powerful as fielding military capability, why leaders have to change how they lead a new generation of talent, educating senior civilian and military leaders on digital and cyber, getting the AI balance right in warfighting, and why recruiting must change to attract the best talent with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses discusses Western gloominess about Ukraine’s progress as the war stagnates, capabilities that the Russians as well as the United States and its allies are preparing to field, analysis of Anduril’s Roadrunner autonomous unmanned aircraft, Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he will run for another six-year term, influence of Russian “mothers’ in Moscow, and the stability of Russian society; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses expectations for the upcoming announcement about DoD’s Replicator effort, the implications of the Venezuelan referendum to annex Guyana's territory, whether frustration with Israel’s war on Hamas will have implications for US arms exports to the Middle East and elsewhere, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

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 Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the week on world markets; update on Airbus and Boeing 2023 deliveries; as Boeing passes on a new jetliner, Airbus eyes two programs to succeed A320, and could ask governments for launch aid; Boeing’s decision to eliminate its corporate strategy function; the possible implications of the V-22’s grounding; European view of the Ukraine war as gloominess in Washington grows; and criticism of Germany’s arms export approach.

Dr. Patrick Cronin, Michael Herson, Jim Townsend, Dr. Dov Zakheim, and Chris Servello join host Vago Muradian to discuss key elements of the draft National Defense Authorization Act, emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel's war on Hamas, and the Houthi attacks on the USS Carney. They also explore the ongoing border issues in the United States and provide insights into upcoming podcast topics on naval, maritime, space, and airpower.

This week, Anduril Industries unveiled its Roadrunner, a new concept in air defense. We’ll hear about it from their Pat Morris. And A.J. Piplica, the CEO of Hermeus, on their new contract and forthcoming hypersonics tests.  Of course, we also have this week’s airpower headlines. With power from GE!