The Merge

Joe “Grip” Beissner, Director of Requirements and Capabilities for Radio Frequency Solutions at Raytheon, a business of RTX, joins us to discuss the cutting-edge AESA radars Raytheondelivers for our warfighters.

Jon 'Stormin' Norman, Vice President of Requirements & Capabilities at Raytheon, offers insights from his extensive military weapons experience. He discusses the pivotal role of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon systems, particularly the AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles, highlighting their evolution and improved capabilities. Norman also covers the Stormbreaker weapon's precision targeting and versatility in challenging conditions. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of collaborative innovation in enhancing operational effectiveness in modern warfare.

Brett “Snappy” Abbamonte, a former Marine Corps F-35 pilot and program manager at Advanced Strategic Insight, brings his expertise in military training technology to the conversation. He discusses the innovative ELITE system, a low-cost training tool that simulates surface-to-air missile threats. Snappy shares the real-world impacts of this technology on military readiness and the importance of adapting training resources. With insights into the challenges of the F-35 program and the budgetary hurdles in military training, he highlights how creative solutions can enhance operator effectiveness.

Retired Air Force Colonel John Warden, a pioneering military strategist credited with shaping modern warfare concepts, shares his insights. He discusses how his experiences in Vietnam influenced air power strategies and led to his creation of the 'Five Rings' framework. Warden connects lessons from the Gulf War to contemporary threats from China, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of U.S. national security. His perspective highlights the importance of adapting military strategies to address current geopolitical challenges and emerging vulnerabilities.

Check out our ⁠newsletter, where we drop weekly knowledge bombs to help you make sense of defense! In this episode, Mike interviews Chip Yates, founder of Yates Electrospace Corporation. With a background in racing, Chip has made a name for himself by setting numerous world records as a pioneer in electric-powered motorcycles and airplanes. His journey took a strategic turn when he encountered a complex military challenge, leading to the inception of his company. Chip pivoted to defense, launching Silent Arrow—disposable cargo drones deployed from planes like the C-130. These drones must fly dozens—even hundreds—of miles yet be cost-effective enough to be discarded after just a single use. Chip shares his decade-long journey in defense tech, offering insights into affordable, executable innovation in an industry full of giant companies and complex technology.   Links • Sign up for the newsletter⁠! • Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠! • Mike Benitez (LinkedIn) • Silent Arrow ---- Follow us on...  • LinkedIn • Instagram⁠ • ⁠X⁠ • ⁠Facebook⁠ • ⁠Website⁠ ---- Show Notes 00:50 intro 01:47 Chip's racing background 03:03 company origins 03:41 getting involved in defense tech 04:11 the idea and 1st concept vehicle 06:53 the Smithsonian 08:34 2,000 glider drone 08:48 how Silent Arrow works 10:14 the need for more standoff 12:10 operational evals of prototypes 13:50 crawl walk run 15:03 the Pacific Pivot? 15:52 Airbus partnership 17:26 powered cargo drones 19:29 interesting payloads 20:42 the C-130 of drones 20:59 design and looks 23:10 raising money in defense tech 24:27 more requirement creep 25:37 using a Tesla?! 28:34 timeline for Tesla-launch 29:28 advertising in defense 30:46 2025 expectations 31:26 a super size version 33:50 adaption vs invention 35:36 keeping the cargo intact 38:46 powered version 39:50 advice 40:37 raising money 42:21 outro For those interested in #military #nationaldefense #warfare #nationalsecurity #defense #nationaldefense #tech #technology #defensetech #army #navy #airforce #innovation #aviation #airplanes #aerospace #c130 #cargo #mobility #logistics #supply #resupply #drones #unmanned #drone

Sign up for our ⁠newsletter, where we drop weekly knowledge bombs to help you make sense of defense! Speaking of knowledge bombs, Mike hosts Ed Cobleigh to talk about Paveway: the laser-guided bomb. Ed flew 375 combat missions during the Vietnam War in the F-4 Phantom and was one of the first people to drop the Paveway laser-guided bomb in combat. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and went on to attend Fighter Weapons School, where he remained in order to stand up the guided weapons division and teach Paveway LGB employment. Ed’s had a wild life beyond the Air Force and is now an author with 5 books (and counting). This episode covers not just the tech and tactics but also a first-person account of dropping LGBs in combat 56 years ago!   ---- Links • ⁠newsletter⁠⁠! • Support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠! • ⁠Mike Benitez (LinkedIn)⁠ • ⁠Ed’s website⁠ • ⁠Ed’s books on Amazon⁠ ---- Follow us on... • ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠• Instagram⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠   ---- Show Notes 00:34 intro 01:58 How Ed got to Vietnam 02:31 background of guided bombs 03:35 Paveway history 07:19 Project White Lightning 09:03 the first laser designator 10:19 Dropping the LGBs 12:15 results from the first tests 14:00 training for the first LGB drop 15:04 Zot nickname 17:49 Ed's 2nd tour 20:17 Navy gets Paveway 22:21 teaching LGBs at Nellis 23:45 Red Flag 25:16 Targeting Pods 26:57 Linebacker 1972 27:56 Dragons Jaw Bridge 29:51 Paveway’s legacy 30:46 F-117 and Paveway 32:37 Paveway III 34:29 Paveway lawsuit 35:26 Ed's books 37:45 outro For those interested in #military #nationaldefense #warfare #nationalsecurity #defense #nationaldefense #tech #technology #defensetech #army #navy #airforce #innovation #F4 #vietnam #aviation #airplanes #aerospace

Col. Joseph Little, a seasoned B-52 Weapons Systems Officer and current Detachment 5 Commander of AFOTEC, shares insights on the monumental B-52J modernization program. With a budget of $48 billion, this overhaul aims to extend the bomber’s life into the 2060s through new engines, advanced cockpits, and upgraded radar. Little discusses the aircraft’s storied history, the evolution of its technology, and the complexities faced in operational testing. He also recounts tactical maneuvers and the unpredictable nature of military operations.

Dan Magy, co-founder and CEO of Firestorm, discusses his vision of democratizing drone manufacturing through innovative 3D printing. He highlights how the Ukraine conflict catalyzed the evolution of aerial technology, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptable defense strategies. Magy reveals the benefits of modular drones, which are designed for quick reconfiguration in diverse scenarios. The conversation dives into the chaos and learning opportunities of crash-and-learn methods in drone development, shaping the future of military operations.

Andrew Hunter, the US Air Force's chief weapons buyer with a staggering $60 billion acquisition portfolio, discusses the future of military procurement. He shares insights on the B-21 bomber and Sentinel ICBM programs while emphasizing the importance of civilian oversight. The conversation dives into navigating complex defense contracts, including negotiations for the E-7 Wedgetail, and the need for innovation in defense tech. Hunter also reveals exclusive details about Collaborative Combat Aircraft, providing a rare glimpse into the evolving landscape of military capabilities.

Exclusive conversation with Anduril and General Atomics on the Air Force's CCA program. Topics include shared superpowers, software insights, integration challenges, and unique perspectives. Explore origins of CCA program, vehicle design, innovation model, and more. Must-listen for military tech enthusiasts!