Defense & Aerospace Report

Frank Kendall, former Air Force secretary who spearheaded the Aerospace Innovation Initiative, and Andrew Hunter, a former Air Force acquisition executive, dive into the fascinating backstory of Boeing's F-47. They discuss how the program differs from the F-22 and the reasons behind the recent pause of the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative. Key budget priorities and the competitive landscape between Boeing and Lockheed Martin are explored, along with insights into the evolution of military aviation and the importance of training for advanced aircraft.

On this Land Warfare episode, sponsored by American Rheinmetall, Dr Harlan Ullman, a retired US Navy captain, strategist and chairman of the Killowen Group consultancy, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the commentary he cowrote with General the Lord David Richards, Britain’s former chief of defense staff — “Porcupine for Putin: How Europe Can Defend Itself Against Russia” that appeared in The Telegraph — why a porcupine strategy; the four chokepoints that need to be defended to thwart a Russian invasion; Europe’s window of action before Russia rearms; the capabilities needed to deter Moscow; drawing lessons from Ukraine; prioritizing unmanned capabilities that can be developed quickly and fielded in volume; the long-range strike weaponry; the importance of abundant war stocks; and the the role of British and French heavy units as a reserve force.

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 implications that US tax revenue might drop by 10 percent or $500 billion this year in the wake of job cuts at the Internal Revenue Service; the difference between the absence of war and peace as US officials continue to negotiate an end of the Ukraine war; while US officials take Vladimir Putin at his word that he doesn’t want to take “all” of Europe, European nations move rapidly to bolster their sovereign capabilities; investment across Asia as nations worry they will be next to be abandoned by the United States was Washington pursues a “grand Bargain” with China; Hanwha sells stock and buys a nearly 10 percent stake in Austal; the US Air Force’s decision to award the manned combat aircraft element of the Next Generation Air Dominance program to Boeing over Lockheed Martin; what the decision means for Lockheed Martin’s outlook after decades as the world’s premiere maker of combat aircraft; 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 Wall Street fifth down week in a row as Congress avoided a government shutdown, but embraced a full-year continuing resolution; lawmakers work to cut taxes by more than $4 trillion as personnel cuts at the IRS raise concerns that US tax collections will decline by 10 percent; Trump administration budget cuts prompted consulting giant Accenture to issue a profit warning; European nations pledge massive defense spending increases with Germany promising to increase spending by $1 trillion to bolster capabilities; credit agencies worry whether European nations can sustain higher military spending through more debt; from the Oval Office, President Trump announced that the US Air Force picked Boeing over Lockheed Martin to develop and build the manned element of the service’s Next Generation Air Dominance aircraft dubbed the F-47; as passenger traffic declines, the British and German governments issue travel advisories to their citizens traveling to the US; a major fire London’s Heathrow Airport derailed flights worldwide; and takeaways from Bank of America’s industrials conference as well as Joanna Speed’s great Aerospace Event in LA.

In this discussion, Patrick Cronin highlights the shifting geopolitical strategies in Asia, emphasizing the impact of U.S. decisions on global alliances. Michael Herson shares insights on defense funding complexities and the political strife within Congress. Jim Townsend weighs in on Ukraine's ceasefire and its ramifications for NATO, while Dov Zakheim critiques Pentagon budgetary challenges. The group further discusses Europe's evolving defense initiatives and the delicate balance of leadership among traditional allies amidst rising global tensions.

The prime contractors that make airpower possible are built on a foundation of suppliers – and that foundation has been heavily challenged in recent years by shortages of people, unpredictable economics, and unexpected demand. We get a fresh view into the supplier world with Chris Celtruda, CEO of Chromalloy; Mesh Feigenbaum, managing Director of Engineered Metal Tech; and Industry analyst Jerry Lundquist of the Lundquist Group. Plus headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On this special episode…ship collisions, political shipbuilding machinations in Congress and the White House, and where are the blueprints to repair US Navy ships? We dive into these topics and more with Sal Mercogliano and John Konrad, two of the best-informed commentators on the maritime scene. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email chriscavas@gmail.com or cservello@defaeroreport.com.

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Dr. Darrell Bricker, the CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss how President Trump’s actions are being regarded worldwide and in terms of America’s popularity; how different regions see the United States and whether the decline in popularity will reflect as a decline in influence; how Americans see his breakneck actions and how a large portion of the electorate appreciate that someone in elected office is actually doing what he would said he would do on the campaign trail; why Democrats strategy to leave the field to Trump or quarrel among themselves is a bad strategy; Canadian views on Trump’s drive to break the country’s economy to compel it to become America’s 51st state; and how the US president’ rhetoric has reinvigorated the popularity of Canada’s Liberal Party.

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses and Dr. Eugene Rumer, the director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Ukraine’s retreat from 450 of the 500 square miles its forces occupied in Russia’s Kursk region; what’s next for the war as Washington pressures Kyiv to a ceasefire; whether Ukraine can survive without US aid and European support; prospect of European troops in Ukraine; whether Vladimir Putin can claim victory in Ukraine;; impact of the war on Russia and Russian support for the conflict; and the Trump administration’s decision gutting the Voice of America as well as Radio Liberty, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the latest headlines and looks at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.