Episode Summary: In Episode 144 of the Aerospace Advantage, Commander Conversation: Royal Canadian Air Force Spacepower, Doug Birkey chats with Brigadier General Mike Adamson, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division (3 CSD); Brigadier General Chris McKenna, Director General Air and Space Force Development; and Brigadier General Kyle Paul Deputy Commanding General, Transformation, U.S. Space Operations Command. The Royal Canadian Air Force organizes, trains, operates, and equips for a broad range of air and space missions. Building off an earlier podcast episode with Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force Lt Gen Eric Kenny, this episode seeks to further explore current RCAF activities through the spacepower lens.  We discuss challenges and opportunities facing the RCAF in orbit; how Canada sees spacepower missions evolving when it comes to interoperability, protocols, and equipment equity; and how the RCAF can effectively secure desired mission effects given an increasingly contested domain and extend deterrence to space. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Tim Ryan, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: BGen G. Michael Adamson, 3 Canadian Space Division Commander Guest: BGen Chris McKenna, Director, General Air and Space Force Development Guest: BGen Kyle Paul Deputy, Commanding General, Transformation, U.S. Space Operations Command 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 #canada Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 143 of the Aerospace Advantage, Decoding China's AI Ambitions: The Rise of Informationized and Intelligentized Warfare, John “Slick” Baum chats with Daniel Rice, China Expert at the Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare at Marine Corps University, and Dennis Murphy, who researches the implications emerging technologies will have on international security at Georgia Tech. This discussion takes a deep dive into China’s most cutting-edge concepts that are shaping its vision of future warfare—ideas known as informationization and intelligentization. These concepts represent a shift from the past convention of attrition warfare toward a more dynamic, algorithm-driven model of engagement that leverages the information battlespace and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Said another way, the U.S. military is not alone in focusing on the role information will play in future conflicts. So while concepts like JADC2 and ABMS are shaping the future of the U.S. military, it’s crucial to recognize that China is pursuing similar vectors and that the PLA's evolution is not just about amassing new hardware and weapons platforms. This episode explores these concepts, and our guests explain what they reveal about China's ambitions to become a world-class military. Note: Daniel Rice is the China Political and Military Subject Matter Expert at Marine Corps University's Brute Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Marine Corps, or the Marine Corp University. Credits: Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Dan Rice, China Expert, Brute Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare, Marine Corps University Guest: Dennis Murphy, PhD Student, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology 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 #china Thank you for your continued support!

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, the Royal Air Force's Air and Space Commander, joins the podcast to discuss the global security environment and RAF's capabilities. Topics include the challenges faced by the UK, sustaining high tempo operations, importance of air control, international partnerships in aircraft development, and future plans for the air force.

Episode Summary: In Episode 141 of the Aerospace Advantage, Building Counterspace Capabilities: Smart Spacepower, John “Slick” Baum chats with Col Eric Felt, USSF Director of Architecture; Matt Fetrow of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office; Arnie Streland of Northrop Grumman; and Charles Galbreath, Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow for Space Studies, about how the Space Force and industry are responding to the growing threat environment on orbit.   Significant improvements and investments are required for nearly every aspect of the military space architecture as the nation works to field defensive and offensive counterspace capabilities. It comes down to addressing the realities of space as a warfighting domain—an imperative that drove the establishment of the Space Force. This podcast brings together expert perspectives from the communities responsible for the building, acquiring, and operating our national security space architecture. The shift to a more resilient hybrid space architecture that leverages proliferated Low Earth Orbit constellations, plus satellites in other orbits, is a critical first step. Additional efforts to improve domain awareness with threat sensors and assure contact with satellites are priorities as well. Above all, we must continue to integrate commercial and international capabilities. Join us for an insightful conversation with some of the top thought leaders in the field. Credits: Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Col Eric Felt, Director of Space Architecture, USSF Guest: Matt Fetrow, Communications Director, Space Force Rapid Capabilities Office Guest: Arnie Streland, Corporate Lead Executive, Northrop Grumman 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 #counterspace Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 140 of the Aerospace Advantage, Congressional Defense Priorities, Allies Boost Modernization, China Realities, and Spacepower Perspectives: The Rendezvous, John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Washington experts Todd Harmer and Anthony Lazarski, plus Mitchell Senior Fellow for Space Studies Tim Ryan about some of the latest national security developments. The last few weeks have been busy, with Congress continuing to advance the defense bills and the looming potential for a government shutdown in the coming months. We’re also seeing a generational wave of modernization with our allies and partners—we discuss what it means for the U.S. from an operational and industrial base set of perspectives. Our experts also assess recent threat developments as Russia continues its war in Ukraine, and as China maintains its assertive stance in the Pacific. On top of all that, we review the latest developments in spacepower—including the Space Command headquarters announcement and how the Space Force continues to evolve meet the threat. Join us for a dynamic, insightful set of conversations. Credits: Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Tim Ryan, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Todd "Sledge" Harmer, Senior Vice President, 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 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 139 of the Aerospace Advantage, Flying and Fighting Against the Odds: A Cold War Perspective, John “Slick” Baum chats with Col Robert Graham, USAF (Ret.) about the 500+ combat sorties he flew across four combat tours during the Vietnam War. Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), air bases under attack, high pilot attrition, tremendous tactical and technical innovation, training shortfalls, and unwavering dedication to duty were all hallmarks of the air war over Vietnam. As the Air Force reorients itself to confront a national security environment defined by peer competition, it is critical we look back in time and learn from the experiences of airmen who confronted and overcame similar threats. Col Graham’s experiences are harrowing, captivating, and incredibly instructive. Having flown the O-1 Bird Dog, F-100 Super Sabre, and F-4 Phantom in combat, he provided close air support in danger-close proximity to friendly units; operated amidst robust enemy air defenses; and got shot down off the end of his own runway by guerilla forces—yet he continued to fly sorties day-after-day as pilot attrition exceeded 20 percent. All the while, Col Graham seasoned a new generation of airmen entering the fight. These are all challenges tomorrow’s airmen will experience. Join us for this incredible conversation. Credits: Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Col Bob Graham, 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 #veteran #Vietnam Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 138 of the Aerospace Advantage, Maintaining the Propulsion Advantage: The Race to Deliver Tomorrow’s Jet Technology, Doug Birkey chats with Mitchell Institute’s Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), and David Tweedie, GE Edison Works vice president and general manager for advanced products, about a key element of America’s crucial combat aircraft advantage in the sky: engines. No military aircraft design, no matter how good, can execute any mission without its engine. In today’s military, that translates to incredibly sophisticated jet technology. Mission requirements for both today and tomorrow demand enhanced performance, greater efficiency, and continued top-of-the-line reliability. After relying on a relatively limited number of existing engines in its propulsion stable for years, the Air Force is pursuing a new generation of capabilities. This is a positive development given new operational demands and the competition from adversary nations. There is little room for error. The U.S. must double down to ensure it maintains the edge in this key technology arena. Credits: Host: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: David Tweedie, Vice President & General Manager for Advanced Products, GE Edison Works  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 #GE Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 137 of the Aerospace Advantage, Fighter Modernization Imperative: Defining the Vector, John “Slick Baum” explores the status of the Air Force’s fighter inventory and a path for reset with Maj Gen Charles “Corky” Corcoran, USAF (Ret.); Lt Col Eric Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.); and Douglas Birkey. The United States faces a fighter aviation modernization crisis that, left unchecked, will undermine every facet of joint force operations. The challenge is particularly acute in the U.S. Air Force. The service simply hasn’t acquired enough aircraft since the Reagan-era defense build-up, and, in light of budget constraints, is way behind the curve resetting the force. Given the threat environment, we’re now in an untenable position. This isn’t just about Air Force fighters—it’s about viable joint power projection, and that demands the scale and scope that Air Force fighters uniquely bring to the table—starting with air superiority. This episode is designed to assess the Air Force fighter capacity challenge and then explore options for resetting the force. Credits: Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Maj Gen Charles “Corky” Corcoran, USAF (Ret.), Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Lt Col Eric "Gunz" Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.), Former Instructor Weapons Systems Operator 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 #modernization Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 136 of the Aerospace Advantage, It’s Time to Reset the Force: Leadership Conversation with Lt Gen Mike Loh, Director of the ANG, Doug Birkey explores the modernization challenges facing the Air National Guard and the Air Force as a whole with Lt Gen Mike Loh, along with Mitchell Institute’s Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Heather Penney. The Air Force’s fighter inventory is too small and too old to meet demands placed upon it. Aircraft are now physically worn out and must be retired, but the Air Force lacks the necessary funding to procure a sufficient volume of new fighters to ensure the outflow of aging aircraft is matched by new replacements. We saw this in the fall of 2022 when F-15s stationed at Kadena were retired without direct, permanently assigned backfills—the aircraft were simply not available. This will be repeated absent a significant boost in the scale and scope of new aircraft buys. The modernization imperative disproportionately impacts the ANG given that those units generally possess the service’s oldest equipment. Force structure realities see the ANG necessary to meet COCOM demands, especially those tied to homeland defense. It’s time to focus on solutions. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Lt Gen Michael Loh, Director, Air National Guard 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 #ANG #force Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 135 of the Aerospace Advantage,  Hill Update, Budget Caps, Space Trends, and Ukraine Perspectives: The Rendezvous, Doug Birkey chats with Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Washington expert Todd Harmer, and Mitchell Senior Fellow for Space Studies Henry Heren about some of the latest national security developments. Our conversation begins by exploring recent news from Ukraine, especially the Wagner Group’s rebellion in Russia. We also discuss how the defense bills are progressing through both the Senate and House—evaluating how priorities are faring as they work through the markup process in the various committees. We specifically focus on the modernization accounts, legislation tied to Space Force equities, how the new budget caps are going to impact spending, and whether there’s any hope for a defense supplemental. We also discuss the Hill’s take on “divest to invest.” Join us for unique air and space insights on the issues you’ve seen in the headlines. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Henry Heren, 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 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 #Russia #space Thank you for your continued support!