The Aerospace Advantage

Latest Episodes:

Episode 162 — Airpower and Spacepower Predictions for 2024: The Rendezvous Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

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

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #2024

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 161 — ”There I was!”: Real Life Stories from the Cockpit with the Mitchell Institute Part II Dec 30, 2023

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Episode Summary:

In Episode 161 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast “There I was!”: Real Life Stories from the Cockpit with the Mitchell Institute Part II, our team members recount some of their most memorable experiences flying and fighting. 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.
This week, we hear from Gen Kevin “Chili” Chilton, USAF (Ret.) as he explains the first and only time he blacked out at the controls of an aircraft; Maj Gen Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) talks about a similar terrifying moment in flight training and follows that story with a spectacular engine fire in the F-16; Air Force Fellow Lt Col Gary “Plugger” Glojek remembers a time when he wrestled with the unexpected while leading a six-ship of A-10s; Heather “Lucky” Penney shares what it was like to fly a B-17; and John "Slick" Baum describes how a fighter pilot's mission can go from easy to crazy on takeoff with a full load of live ordnance at Nellis AFB.

Credits:

Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Gen Kevin "Chili" Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Guest: Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Lt Col Gary "Plugger" Glojek, 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 #FllyStory #Annual

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 160 — “There I was!”: Stories from the Cockpit and Space with the Mitchell Institute Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In Episode 160 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, “There I was!”: Stories from the Cockpit and Space with the Mitchell Institute, our team members recount 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.

This week, we hear from Lt Gen Dave "Zatar" Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Charles Galbreath, and Air Force Fellow Lt Col Max “Efes” Cover. So, this episode is for you if you want to know what it’s like to experience a catastrophic emergency in an F-15 during your second solo flight in the aircraft; what happens when your B-52 won’t rotate at takeoff; when you depart controlled flight in an F-16 and struggle to recover; or discovering a surprising family connection that will make you smile.

Credits:

Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Gen David A. "Zatar" Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, 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: Col (S) 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 #FllyStory #Annual

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 159 — CCAs and Disruptive Air Warfare: The Future Vector Dec 16, 2023

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Episode Summary:

In Episode 159 of the Aerospace Advantage, CCAs and Disruptive Air Warfare: The Future Vector, John Baum chats with Mark Gunzinger, Mike Dahm, and Mark Gunzinger of the Mitchell Institute about the potential for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to increase the lethality, survivability, and capacity of the Air Force’s air superiority forces for operations in highly contested environments.

Projecting decisive military power has long relied on the Air Force’s ability to achieve air superiority. This is an increasingly critical requirement given the advanced air and missile defense threats that now exist in the Pacific. This core warfighting requirement is now at risk given the diminished size and advanced age of the Air Force’s air superiority aircraft inventory. This episode explores air superiority mission requirements in a Pacific scenario and the potential for a family of crewed CCAs operating cooperatively with 5th and 6th generation combat aircraft to disrupt China’s counterair operations and achieve the degree of air superiority needed for all joint force operations to succeed.

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, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, 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 #CCA #autonomy #China

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 158 — Affordable Mass: Understanding Next Gen Munitions Requirements Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 158 of the Aerospace Advantage, Affordable Mass: Understanding Next Gen Munitions Requirements, Doug Birkey chats with Mitchell Institute’s Mark Gunzinger and Jim Young of Boeing, who serves as the Executive Director for their Direct Attack portfolio within the Precision Engagement Systems organization.

Most DOD air-to-surface munitions were designed for U.S. campaigns of the past 30 years in which its forces confronted lesser regional militaries operating weak air defenses. DOD is now planning for conflicts with peer adversaries. This is why the Air Force is acquiring 5th generation F-35 fighters and B-21 stealth bombers. However, new stealth aircraft are only as effective as the weapons they can deliver. Developing multiple variants of mid-range, stand-in precision guided munitions suitable for operations in contested environments is crucial. These munitions must be affordable to build high-capacity inventories necessary for the scale of peer-on-peer operations. This is a “must do” for the Air Force—it all comes down to getting enough bombs on target.

Episode 157 — Congressional Defense Update; B-21 First Flight; Spacepower Considerations, and a China Update: The Rendezvous Dec 02, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In Episode 157 of the Aerospace Advantage, Congressional Defense Update; B-21 First Flight; Spacepower Considerations, and a China Update: 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 discuss where defense bills stand in Congress and continuing resolution implications. Panelists also explore the latest developments regarding the B-21’s first flight and what the future will hold for the program. We also explain why the T-7’s arrival at Edwards is so important. The conversation then assesses the latest in spacepower news developments and wraps with an extensive national security assessment regarding China, especially the recent meeting between President Biden and President Xi. As always, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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: Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, 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

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 156 — 4th Gen to 5th Gen Air Combat Evolution: Operator Perspectives Nov 25, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In Episode 156 of the Aerospace Advantage, 4th Gen to 5th Gen Air Combat Evolution: Operator Perspectives, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with two seasoned fighter pilots, Lt Col Gary Glojek and Lt Col Max Cover, about how modernization is impacting today’s Air Force flightlines. Specifically, they discuss how the combat Air Force inventory is evolving from a 4th generation force to one increasingly populated by 5th generation aircraft.

Types like the A-10, which have been in the Air Force inventory since the 1970s, are sunsetting. Others, like the F-16 will stay in the inventory for several more years, but in reduced quantities as F-35 numbers increase. Add this to the combination of F-22, F-35, B-2, and B-21, plus NGAD, and the Air Force is looking at a fundamentally reshaped combat inventory. This has major operational, tactical, and technological implications for how these forces train and execute missions. Given Cover’s time in the F-16 and F-35, plus Glojek’s time in the A-10, these two airmen are uniquely qualified to discuss this operational evolution.

Credits:

Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Col Maxwell "Efes" Cover, Air Force Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Lt Col Gary "Plugger" Glojek, 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 #4thGen #5thGen #transition

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 155 — Evolution of Air Force Battle Management: Navigating Beyond JSTARS Nov 18, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In episode 155 of the Aerospace Advantage, Evolution of Air Battle Management: Navigating Beyond JSTARS, John “Slick” Baum talks to Mitchell Institute’s Doug Birkey and Lt Col Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis, a former JSTARS battle manager who currently serves as the Director of Plans at the 461st Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base.
JSTARS enabled Air Force battle managers to monitor surface targets, convert data into actionable insights, and exploit a comprehensive command and control system to make more effective decisions. This capability represented a fundamental transformation in modern combat operations. But given the JSTARS retirement, the Air Force is reshaping how it achieves these effects. The battle management mission will only become more vital as the Air Force moves toward more disaggregated operational concepts empowered by JADC2. This episode will explore this evolution and what it means for the future 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: Lt Col Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis, Director of Plans, 461st Air Control Wing, Robins Air Force Base

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 #report #military

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 154 — Understanding the Chinese Challenge: Assessing DoD’s Latest China Military Power Report Nov 11, 2023

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Episode Summary:

In Episode 154 of the Aerospace Advantage, Understanding the Chinese Challenge: Assessing DoD’s Latest China Military Power Report, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies Mike Dahm about key trends and insights shaping the security picture in the Western Pacific and beyond.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall recently described what keeps U.S. military leaders awake: “China, China, China.” He’s right, the People’s Republic of China is growing its military capabilities at scale while its leaders are beginning to assert themselves in ways that often conflict with American interests and values. Each year, the Department of Defense produces an unclassified report for Congress to explain these variables: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China. This episode explores the 2023 edition with our own China expert, Mike Dahm, providing unique insights and analysis. The conversation focuses on concerning air and space power trends, but also considers factors influencing China’s national security calculus.

Credits:

Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, 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 #China #report #military

Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 153 — Congressional Defense Update; Conflict in the Middle East; and a China Threat Update: The Rendezvous Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In Episode 153 of the Aerospace Advantage, Congressional Defense Update; Conflict in the Middle East; and a China Threat Update: The Rendezvous, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), China expert Mike Dahm, plus Washington insiders Anthony Lazarski and Todd Harmer about the latest developments in the beltway and the broader national security community.

We discuss what new leadership in the House of Representatives will mean for defense equities on The Hill, including the likelihood for another continuing resolution and the risks that will drive. Panelists also explore the latest developments regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, plus what this will mean for America’s broader national security interests around the globe. We wrap with an extensive national security assessment regarding China, especially given DoD’s newly released 2023 edition of Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China. As always, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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: 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