The Aerospace Advantage

Discussion on Congressional defense budget progress, Air Force reorganization for competition, deterring violence in the Middle East, and recent spacepower developments. Guests provide insights on these critical defense topics.

Episode Summary: In Episode 170 of the Aerospace Advantage: Cislunar Space: The Latest Zone of Competition in the Space Race, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum interviews Dr. Jaime Stearns, AFRL’s cislunar lead; Bradley Cheetham, the President of Advanced Space; and Mitchell Institute’s Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.) about where the competition in space is headed next. Reaching the Moon was once a powerful statement of America’s prowess and global leadership, with huge strategic implications that played out during the Cold War. Today, there is a new race to the Moon and the surrounding region. Who wins that contest and the resulting precedents they set will translate to very real consequences from security, economic, scientific, and diplomatic perspectives. That’s why the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command must take steps today in the cislunar regime to establish the same freedom of operations it realizes in Earth orbit. These steps will include new capabilities such as space domain awareness, high bandwidth communications, and cislunar navigation technologies. This week we’re hearing first-hand from those operating and building spacecraft in the cislunar regime to better understand the challenges they face, the criticality of their mission, and the skillsets and resources they need to succeed. 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 Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Dr. Jaime Stearns, AFRL Cislunar Lead Guest: Bradley Cheetham, CEO & President, Advanced 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 #cislunar Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 169 of the Aerospace Advantage: Special Edition, Russian Nukes in Space? Understanding the Threat and Implications, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum interviews Mitchell Institute Spacepower Center of Excellence Senior Fellow Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret) about headlines we’ve seen regarding a new spacepower development. Congressman Turner (R-OH) grabbed everyone’s attention last week when he publicly asked the Biden Administration to declassify intelligence findings so a broad range of decision makers and the public could better understand what’s at stake given this new adversary capability. While specific details are still not known, various comments made by senior officials suggest this involves a nuclear device designed to be detonated on orbit as a mass anti-satellite weapon. Not only would the electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) destroy satellites, but the resulting radiation release would also degrade surviving systems on orbit. Slick and Charles break down the fundamentals of this issue, help explain the surrounding context, discuss the implications for U.S. and allied space capabilities, and consider next steps U.S. leaders should consider pursuing. 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 Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence 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 #special #space Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 168 of the Aerospace Advantage, F-16 at 50: The Viper Goes to War, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum hosts a special set of guests to mark the 50th anniversary of the F-16’s first flight. The Viper came of age in the 1980s, and its capability growth rapidly accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s. The aircraft is still in production, empowered with an array of cutting-edge systems few could have envisioned when the first aircraft flew in 1974. ​​​In this episode, we talk about what it was like to take the F-16 to war in numerous conflicts, grow capabilities, and how the Air Force continues to steward this aircraft. We also explore what’s next as Viper drivers transition to the F-35. Guests include Lt Gen Bruce “Orville” Wright, USAF (Ret.)—a Fighter Weapons School Graduate, F-4 and F-16 pilot with 3,200 hours of flight time and 65 combat missions in the F-16, most notably as the 614th Sq/CC during Desert Storm. He continued to fly the Viper throughout his career, including as the 5th Air Force commander. We also hear from Heather “Lucky” Penney, who flew 2 combat tours in the F-16, but most notably found herself scrambled on the morning of September 11th, 2001 to defend the national capital region. Lt Col Maxwell “Efes” Cover shares how he cut his teeth as a young fighter pilot in the F-16, and he’s now an F-35 pilot. Last but not least, Slick talks about his time flying the Viper in combat and serving as a Weapons School Instructor and Thunderbird. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen Bruce “Orville” Wright, USAF (Ret.), President and CEO, Air & Space Forces Association Guest: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Maxwell “Efes” Cover, Air Force Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies 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 #f16 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 167 of the Aerospace Advantage, F-16 at 50: The Origins of the Viper, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum hosts a special set of guests to mark the 50th anniversary of the F-16’s first flight. It’s one of the most impactful, widely used combat aircraft in airpower history. Developed in the early 1970s and first flown in 1974, the F-16 began as a relatively basic fighter. Numerous upgrades saw it evolve into an incredibly capable multi-role combat aircraft with powerful sensors, computing capacity, connectivity, a broad array of munitions, and far more thrust. This episode will discuss the origins of the F-16—how and why the requirements were developed, flight test, and early operational experiences. We’ve got General Mike Loh, who was a young officer just back from flying combat in Vietnam assigned to work with the “father of the F-16”, Col John Boyd, in the Fighter Requirements Directorate in the Pentagon. He later circled back to the program as the project manager for the YF-16 and F-16 at Aeronautical Systems Division. He’s joined by Major General Charlie Lyon, who began his career in the F-16 in the early 1980s, when the jet was brand new and far more basic than anything flying today. He was a FWS Graduate and 422 TES IP and later a Squadron, Group, and Wing Commander. Finally, we’ve got Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, who transitioned from the F-4 to the F-16 in the mid-1980s. This history really matters and that’s why we’re so excited to share it with you. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Gen John Michael Loh, USAF (Ret.) Guest: Maj Gen Charles Lyon, 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 #f16 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 166 of the Aerospace Advantage, Congressional Update, Sentinel & F-35 Developments, and Spacepower Considerations: The Rendezvous, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest defense news from the beltway and the broader national security community. The conversation begins by assessing where Congress stands when it comes to passing an actual defense budget and moving past the crippling parade of continuing resolutions. We also discuss how the 2024 election cycle will impact the national security debate throughout the course of the year, including support for Ukraine. Our panel then explores why the Sentinel program experienced a Nunn McCurdy breach and what this means looking to the future. Team members also consider what Lockheed Martin’s latest projection for TR3/ Block 4 means for the F-35 program, especially when it comes to the FY25 budget request. The conversation then turns to spacepower developments. Finally, given the fighting in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, continued issues with Iran and North Korea, plus China’s aggression in the Pacific, we discuss the implications for Airmen and Guardians—especially given finite resources from both a manpower and hardware set of perspectives. 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, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research, 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 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 165 of the Aerospace Advantage, It Comes Down to Guardians: Rightsizing Space Force, John “Slick” Baum chats with a top-tier slate of space professionals about one of the top issues impacting national security issues in orbit: having enough trained and qualified personnel. Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Maj Gen Thomas Taverny, USAF (Ret.), Col Stu Pettis, USAF (Ret.), and Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.) discuss how the nation is asking the Space Force to deliver an ever-increasing scale and scope of effects as mission demands and the threat environment evolve. This requires a reassessment regarding the number of Guardians authorized for the Space Force, as well as a discussion about the appropriate mix of skill sets. Further impacting this question are considerations tied to whether the Space Force will gain a National Guard component or seek to address those mission functions through an alternate means. At the end of the day, mission demand must be matched with the right scale and scope of uniformed professionals. This is a crucial conversation. It doesn’t matter how much sophisticated technology the service acquires if it doesn’t have enough people to operate it, employ concepts of operation, and engage effectively throughout the higher echelons of the defense enterprise. 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 Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Stuart Pettis, Director, STEM Education Programs, Air & Space Forces Association Guest: Maj Gen Thomas “Tav” Taverney, USAF (Ret.), Senior Vice President, Space Systems Development, Leidos 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 #ussf #spaceforce #guardians Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 164 of the Aerospace Advantage, Tip of the Spear: Inside the 509th Bomb Wing and the Future of Stealth Bombers, John "Slick" Baum chats with Colonel Keith "Ghost" Butler, long-time B-2 pilot and commander of America’s sole stealth bomber wing. The ability to attack any target around the globe anytime, anywhere is a crucial asymmetric advantage for the United States. Key policy options fundamentally rely on the B-2 and the men and women who fly and sustain the aircraft. The 509th is on call 24/7 to execute both nuclear deterrence and conventional strike missions—a tremendous responsibility. They make headlines wherever they fly around the globe.  However, with only 20 B-2s in the Air Force’s inventory, the aircraft and crews are stretched thin as high-demand, low-density assets. Top defense leaders know it is time to build out America’s stealth bomber capacity—that’s why there’s such an emphasis on fielding the B-21, America’s newest stealth bomber.  Col Butler explains the types of sorties he and his crews are executing, the unique realities involved with operating a jet as advanced as the B-2, and what it means to be dual-qualified for both the conventional and nuclear missions. Additionally, having successfully commanded Detachment 5 of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center at Edwards AFB, Colonel Butler brings unique insights into what’s in store for tomorrow’s long-range strike mission. This is a riveting episode you will not want to miss! Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col Keith "Ghost" Walker, Wing Commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB 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 #b2 #bomber #b21 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 163 of the Aerospace Advantage, Realizing the Quantum Computing Edge: Key Considerations, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with national security expert Maj Gen Cameron Holt, USAF (Ret.), founder of the Quantum Industrial Coalition Paul Stimers, and Mitchell Institute’s Heather Penney about one of the top topics in defense innovation. ​​​​​​​The imperative to develop, produce, and field quantum computing capabilities is real. While some aspects of this technology may be nearly a decade away from useful maturity, other elements are advancing at a pace to yield operationally relevant offerings in five years, or even less. These quantum developments will solve critical DoD vulnerabilities and capability gaps—things like timing, navigation, sensing, and radio frequency reception. However, successfully realizing these breakthroughs requires DoD investment and stewardship because many applications are defense specific. That sort of investment demands a strategy. This episode explore how quantum technologies can bridge from the lab to the operational battlespace. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Maj Gen Cameron Holt, USAF (Ret.), President & Founder, Holt Consulting Group LLC Guest: Paul Stimers, Founder, Quantum Industrial Coalition 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 #quantum #Heather Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 162 of the Aerospace Advantage, Airpower and Spacepower Predictions for 2024: The Rendezvous, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest defense developments in the beltway and the broader national security community. We’re off to a new year, so we’ve gathered members of the team to discuss topics we should be tracking in 2024. What should we expect from Congress—especially when it comes to the ongoing continuing resolution? Will more funding be approved for Ukraine? How will The Hill react to the Department of the Air Force’s proposed reorganization? We also explore spacepower trends—there’s a lot in play as adversaries continue to press hard on orbit. The team assesses China and considers what’s going to drive their decision-making calculus in 2024.  We also identifying technologies we should track in 2024. What is going to happen with CCAs, the B-21, NGAD, the F-35, and GBSD? We also discuss how the Department of the Air Force should seek to strike a balance between near-term priorities and long-term imperatives—recapitalization, personnel issues, concepts of operation, and high-demand, low-density mission areas. There’s a lot in this episode that you are going to want to know. 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: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Senior Fellow, 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: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China 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 #2024 Thank you for your continued support!