Defense & Aerospace Report

On today’s program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses discusses how Ukraine can defend itself and wage offensive operations in the absence of US support, the unprecedented role of Chinese industry in Ukrainian capabilities, how Russia is improving its capabilities, the spat between the Ukrainian president and his chief of defense staff, and the Pentagon’s Replicator effort with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Byron Callan of Capital Alpha Partners discusses appropriations, budget and supplemental outlook, analysis of Boeing's earnings report and defense business, US arms exports, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The podcast also explores recent military strikes, defense spending, operating margins, inflation impact on contracts, updates and challenges for Boeing's defense business segment, and concerns about Boeing as a national strategic asset.

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 strong US jobs growth and declining inflation, the paradox of increasing air travel demand and declining fares, HII’s strong results, Boeing’s decision to suspend financial guidance for 2024 as management focuses on improving quality and withdrawal of request for a limited exemption for the 737 Max 7 engine inlet deicing system, the EU’s $54 billion economic aid package for Ukraine, and Washington’s decision to approve 40 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters for Turkey and 40 F-35 Lightning II strike jets for Greece.

Guests include Dr. Patrick Cronin, Michael Herson, Jim Townsend, and Dr. Dov Zakheim. Topics include bipartisan tax bill, border deal impacting Ukraine funding, firing of Ukraine's chief of defense staff, strikes on Iranian proxies, Beijing purging top rocket scientist, Gaza war, and presidential race.

Viable electric aircraft have been on the horizon for a while now. But it looks like the first customer might well be the United States Air Force. We’ll talk with a pioneer in the field, Kyle Clark, the head of Beta Technologies, whose Alia eVTOL plane just concluded testing with AFWERX and is in line for procurement. Plus headlines in airpower. Powered by GE!

Sally deSwart, the managing director of Clarion Defence, discusses the new Apex innovation and technology conference in Washington, the events that will pave the way for January 2025 gathering, and what will make it unique; and Dr. Jimmy “Reverend” Jones, the Air Force’s service’s warfighting applications lead for STITCHES — System-of-Systems Technology Integration Tool Chain for Heterogeneous Electronic Systems; Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer; Colin Carroll who works strategy and growth at Anduril Industries; and Dr. Wes Naylor, Helicon Chemical’s CEO discuss how accelerate innovation at the Hudson Institute with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Eric Fanning, the president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, discusses the budget and supplemental outlook, the Biden administration’s first ever National Defense Industrial Strategy, and what to expect at the Singapore Air Show; and on the first installment of our monthly land warfare segment, sponsored by American Rheinmetall, Dan Roper, a retired US Army colonel who is now the director of national security studies at the Association of the United States Army’s Land Warfare Institute, discusses lessons from the Ukraine war including the reality that people, equipment and weapons matter, look at the US Army’s Indo-Pacific role. and the services modernization plans with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the legislative implications of Donald Trump’s growing lead in the GOP presidential primary race, prospects for the Ukraine supplemental as lawmakers work toward a immigration deal and the White House says it would accept border closure to fund Kyiv, takeaways as leading companies report 2023 earnings and what to expect from disclosures this week including from Boeing, and a look at the week ahead; and Michael Harpin, the competitions section chief in the Cyber Defense Education and Training branch at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, discusses the agency’s fifth annual President’s Cup cyber competition 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 host Vago Muradian to discuss another strong week on Wall Street on reports that the US economy grew faster than anticipated in the last 2023 quarter, earnings reports, Boeing’s CEO appears on Capitol Hill as Alaska and United airlines CEOs blast the jetmaker and Sen. Maria Cantwell announces hearings, NATO orders $1.2 billion in new artillery shells as hopes of more Ukraine aid from America continue to dim, US Navy secretary suggests Britain needs a bigger military, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps argues for more ships and the Chief of the General Staff says it’s time for conscription.

In this episode, a group of experts discuss various topics, including Trump's impact on a border-Ukraine aid deal, Hungary's hesitation on Sweden's NATO membership, China's weakened economy, North Korea's nuclear saber rattling, and Israel's rejection of peace efforts. They also highlight the importance of finding a compromise to save Ukraine and express concerns about the implications if Russia wins. The episode concludes with speculation about possible debates between Haley and Trump.