The Aerospace Advantage

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with Maj Gen (Ret) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Col (Ret) Barry “Papa” Murphy, Col (Ret) Robert “Otis” Winkler, and Col (Ret) JV Venable about the Air Force’s current readiness crisis. The severity of the global threat environment demands a fix. This isn't just an Air Force problem. Without effective and reliable airpower, no modern combat operation can succeed. Our guests define the scale and scope of the challenge, leading to a robust discussion of solutions. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Editor: Patrick Gensel Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Col John "JV" Venable, USAF (Ret.) Guest: Col Robert “Otis” Winkler, USAF (Ret.) Guest: Col Barry “Papa” Murphy, USAF (Ret.) Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #munitions #industry Thank you for your continued support!

In this discussion, Steve Milano from Anduril and Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), delve into the urgent need for enhanced munitions capabilities in U.S. defense. They address the pressing global competition that requires increased production and innovative strategies in military operations. The conversation highlights the evolution of modular munitions, the integration of autonomous technologies, and the importance of agility in software development. They emphasize that adapting to modern warfare demands is critical for maintaining military readiness and effectiveness.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell team about some of their most memorable experiences from their time in uniform. You normally hear us talking about policy and budget issues, but over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. JDAM recounts an ill-conceived field trip to Croatia, Sledge tempts single-engine fate, JV recalls a Christmas story from the desert, Slider tells a “there I was in the control van,” and Boots receives a nuclear missile launch notification. Finally, the team learns a surprising secret about one of our members! (Harumph) These are some fun stories you won’t want to miss. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig Gen Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, Mitchell Institute Guest: Jennifer Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: John Venable, Senior Resident Fellow, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: John Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #stories #holidays Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney and members of the Mitchell Institute team discuss allied spacepower with French Space Command Commander Major General Philippe Adam. We talk about it all the time: the U.S. will always operate with allies and partners. With space now standing as an ever-crucial domain and with our adversaries seeking to contest it—the notion of allies and partners working together on orbit is fast becoming a new, essential baseline for successful military operations. With France having expanded its Air Force to an Air and Space Force the same year the U.S. created Space Force, our two nations have embarked on a similar parallel journey. Join us as we learn more about French spacepower and what it means for U.S. operations on orbit. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: M.G. Philippe Adam, Commander, French Space Command Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #space Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney explores space launch operations, infrastructure, and technologies with Brad Appel, the Chief Technology Officer of Ursa Major, and Mitchell Institute’s Charles Galbreath. Today, all U.S. military operations rely on space capabilities and effects delivered from the on-orbit architecture. Assured access to space and robust launch infrastructure are foundational for mission success—especially given growing demand and the realities of a burgeoning threat environment. Launch operations remain a technically challenging mission and must not be taken for granted. Factors like confidence, capacity, cadence, and cost are hugely important for future launch solutions. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Brad Appel, Chief Technology Officer, Ursa Major Papers and images listed on our site, here! Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #space Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about President Elect Trump’s defense vision and what the DOGE might mean for national security. We also discuss the latest developments in Chinese air and space power, while considering Elon Musk’s comments questioning the need for manned combat aviation. We wrap with a review of the Mitchell Institute’s Airpower Futures Forum. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #election Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this Aerospace Advantage episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses one of the coolest aircraft to ever fly, the B-2, with Northop Grumman’s Doug Young, the leader in charge of modernizing the B-2, while also overseeing the B-21. Hands down, the B-2 is one of the most capable aircraft ever invented. It’s hard to believe that it first flew over thirty years ago—in 1989. The aircraft that is on the ramp today is a far cry from the one Northrop Grumman built three decades ago. They’ve teamed with the Air Force to continually modernize the aircraft to ensure it remains relevant and viable in the modern operational world. We explore this modernization process by discussing the various hardware and software improvements that allow the aircraft to remain a cutting-edge airpower asset. An open mission software approach is a key element of this initiative. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Doug Young, Sector Vice President and General Manager, Strike, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #election Thank you for your continued support!

Joining the discussion are Jeff Peters, Deputy VP at BAE Systems, Dr. Kathy Bihari, Technical Director at BAE, and John JV Venable from the Mitchell Institute. They tackle the pressing need for a robust inventory of precision strike munitions for the U.S. military. The conversation delves into challenges in production, including budget constraints and the necessity of a diversified supply chain. They explore innovative strategies for enhancing military readiness and the evolution of weapon systems that ensure effectiveness in modern warfare.

Episode Summary: In this Aerospace Advantage episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney continues the electronic attack conversation with Dave Harrold and Duane Beaulieu of BAE, plus Mitchell Institute’s Mike Dahm. Electronic Attack is an essential twenty-first century mission capability. The ability to disrupt enemy command, control, communications, radars, and navigation systems allows U.S. forces to maintain a decision advantage, while denying one to the adversary. It all comes down to maintaining a leading electromagnetic-based battlespace capability. The Compass Call system, currently hosted on the EC-130H, executes this mission. It will soon migrate to the EA-37B.  We explore this transition by discussing where the mission has been and where it’s going from a technical perspective. We also explain what it means to secure an electronic attack advantage in the modern era and why this is imperative. Learn more about this crucial mission from the experts developing the essential technology. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Dave Harrold, Vice President & General Manager, Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions, BAE Systems Guest: Duane Beaulieu, Tech Director, BAE Systems Testimony transcript Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #election Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the what the 2024 election results will mean for spacepower and airpower. Elections always matter, especially given the national security issues currently in play. The world is an incredibly dangerous place: Russia continues its war in Ukraine, China is pressing hard in the Pacific, Iran continues to destabilize the Middle East and shares nuclear ambitions with North Korea, plus terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis pose serious challenges. On top of this, the Air Force is undergoing a historic level of modernization—ranging from two legs of the triad to the B-21, F-35, CCA, KC-46, T-7, and more. Major questions loom for programs like NGAD and NGAS, and things not simple in the Space Force either, as leaders in that service seek to build a new set of capabilities given that the domain is now contested. Mission migration from the air to space also continues, especially or things like ISR. The vector set by Donald Trump and members of Congress in the coming years will shape options available to leaders for decades into the future. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Jeff  "Rowli" Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #election Thank you for your continued support!