The Merge
The Merge
Military technology, trends, and national security...presented with unique insights, salt, and wit from combat aviator veterans and industry experts.
Fence in for interviews and anecdotes about the ins, outs, and happenings at the intersection of technology, industry, strategy, and policy of aerospace and national defense.
Brought to you by The Merge newsletter.
Fence in for interviews and anecdotes about the ins, outs, and happenings at the intersection of technology, industry, strategy, and policy of aerospace and national defense.
Brought to you by The Merge newsletter.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 17, 2022 • 1h 17min
E2 - Red Air
Host Mike Benitez brings the spirit of the Merge in a full court press to discuss Adversary Air—aka Red Air—in a way you’ve never heard. It’s an entertaining journey through the history, policy, technology, strategy, industry, and business of Red Air.Today’s guests:* Kevin “Shaggy” Wilson* Ryan “Stinger” Fishel* Andrew “Scar” Van Timmeren* Jeff “Vader” Brandon----Links* Want more intel and insights? Sign up for the Newsletter* Support us on Patreon* Shaggy - Top Aces* Scar - Blue Force Technology* Vader - Kodiak Shack Podcast* Stinger’s F-117 article: Train Like You Fight* Jared Isaacman’s MiG-29----Follow us on...* Instagram* Facebook* Twitter* LinkedIn* Website----Show Notes(1:28) – Guest Intros(4:23) – What is adversary air?(13:15) – the industry(15:25) – Congress gets involved(18:54) – how’s it going now (industry)(22:46) – how’s it going now (fighter pilot)(34:05) – Top Aces buys F-16s(39:30) – F-117 red air(47:08) – adversary drones(52:07) – the cost of self-supporting adversaries(55:21) – training is deterrence(56:18) – training modernization(1:04:27) – story time
Nov 23, 2022 • 52min
E1 - A Star is Born!
Episode 1: A Star is Born! After too many excuses, the Merge newsletter’s Mike Benitez launches the inaugural Merge podcast! Co-hosting duties are shared with Jake Chapman (@VC) and Tim Nolan (@NatSecTim). In this episode, we talk about 3 things the newsletter has never covered in its 2-year existence: venture capital, TikTok, and American Dynamism.Show Notes:(00:30) – the world’s most okayist defense podcast(1:02) – Co-host intros(3:58) – What is venture capital(20:49) – Jake and the Army Venture Capital Corporation(26:20 ) – TikTok and national security(39:16) – WTH is ‘American Dynamisn’Subscribe to the newsletter:https://www.themerge.co/Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/the_merge
