Defense & Aerospace Report

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners and Chris Servello, the co-host of our Cavas Ships podcast joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss President Trump’s first day in office; messages from the inauguration, executive orders and actions since; the firing of Adm. Linda Fagan as US Coast Guard commandant and other senior military changes under guise of countering diversity, equity and inclusion; Trump’s comments about using force to take the Panama Canal, targeting drug cartels in Mexico, Greenland as well as tariffs on Canada and Mexico; the defense budget outlook as both GOP and Freedom Caucus members call for dramatic increased in the Pentagon budget of $200 billion or more over the coming years; outlook for shipbuilding expect at the Surface Navy Association’s conference and tradeshow; and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss Wall Street has a strong week as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House; with no debt ceiling increase the US Treasury starts extraordinary measures to stretch resources until Congress makes a deal to avoid default; defense outlays hit an all-time high with a nearly 10 percent year-over-year increase and prominent GOP lawmakers press for a $100-$200 billion increase in Pentagon spending; the Aerospace Industries Association expresses openness to working with the new administration on selective tariffs to redress trade inequities; Anduril picks Columbus, Ohio, for its new 5 million square foot “Arsenal 1” facility that will employ 4,000; some positive 737, 787 and 777X news for Boeing; and the number of parked narrow-body jetliners grows as cargo drops, but sidelined planes with Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engines declines.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Senate confirmation of President-elect Trump’s cabinet appointments including Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence as Congress weighs appropriations, a reconciliation package and a debt ceiling increase; covering California wildfire costs; Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire that will see several hundred Palestinian prisoners traded from 33 Israeli hostages, half of whom are dead; why Republicans forced the resignation of Lockheed Martin’s widely respected head of government affairs; Ukraine war update and what’s next as Trump returns to office; Trump and Xi Jingping talk by phone before the inauguration; the revelation of Beijing’s new amphibious capabilities as Chinese planes and ships encircle Taiwan; the South Korea’s impeached President Yeon Suk Yeol detention; and President Biden’s legacy as he ends decades of service in elected office including his farewell remarks that warned of a “tech industrial complex” led by unaccountable billionaire oligarchs and undermines democracy.

We continue looking ahead to airpower issues in the coming year with Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, Director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. And we have your airpower headlines. Powered by GE!

On this month’s innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference this April in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Bryan Clark, the director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute think tank, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss his new report — Winning the Fight for Sensing and Sensemaking — why DoD needs a strategy to degrade China’s sensing as well as command and control; how China’s seabed to cislunar sensing networks compare to US capabilities; vulnerabilities of China’s networks compared to those of the United States; how the Pentagon should connect a counter-sensing and network disruption strategy with kinetic effects; the logic of being able to counter China’s sensing and sensemaking capabilities in peacetime; progress report on US efforts to counter China’s C5ISR capabilities; scaling cyber and electronic warfare capabilities and encourage new defense economy firms to the segment; and an update on planning for the Apex innovation conference. To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexdefense.org

Paul Lemmo, the vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors unit, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss how the company in two years went from contract signing to a successful live exo-atmospheric intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile target for the Aegis Guam System that’s key for the defense of the key Pacific island; the key to delivering capabilities at speed, whether testing new missile defenses or new frigates; his unit’s role in developing radar and combat systems for Australian, Canadian and Spanish warship programs; global growth prospects while navigating trade and security challenges as a new administration takes office; partnering with suppliers to ensure access to systems and components vital to keeping programs on schedule; recruiting and retaining top talent in a competitive market; lessons from the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift program that demanded competitors share development costs; and his company’s unique ability to integrate complex sensor, combat and weapon systems.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the economic and geopolitical implications President-elect Trump’s comments on tariffs as well as the Panama Canal, Greenland and Canada; whether the comments will fuel higher inflation that will have to be factored into defense planning; Pentagon budget outlook as the outgoing Biden administration is reported to expected to ask for $1 trillion in 2026; cost of massive California wildfires and other climate-related disasters on federal spending; confirmation outlook for Trump’s nominees including Pete Hegseth as defense secretary as Senate hearings begin; takeaways from Israel’s Nagel Report that identifies Turkey as a threat and urges Jerusalem to reduce reliance on US as a security partner after a second Trump administration; BWXT’s acquisition of Kinectrics; what to expect at the Surface Navy Association’s conference and tradeshow; and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a broadly down market on another strong US jobs report and growing concerns of more economic and geopolitical turmoil after Donald Trump returns to the White House whether imposition of tariffs or military action to take Greenland and the Panama Canal; Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury warns European governments to prepare for “pronounced” and “very strong” tariffs from Washington as the jet maker promises production next year will hit the stunning pre-covid mark of 862 jets in 2019; how trade wars could complicate globalized commercial and military aircraft production likes whether jetliners or Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighters; whether for France’s new finance minister works to develop a budget that helps neither far left or hard right as Britain bond market becomes reminiscent of the 1970s; America’s out-going ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel says share buybacks by US companies causes a bigger threat than China; Lockheed’s new Astris AI unit to help commercialize the defense giant’s AI technology; and takeaways from Bank of America’s annual defense and aerospace conference that we’ve been proud to be partnered on for the past 17 years.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Cavas Ships Podcast co-host Chris Servello join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss House Speaker Mike Johnson’s narrow reelection; status of reconciliation, appropriations and debt measures; new House and Senate defense committee assignments; President-elect Trump’s statement that he wouldn’t rule our force to take Greenland and the Panama Canal, and rename the Gulf of Mexico, and the message his comments and actions by lawmakers send allies and adversaries; implications of Trump’s willingness to resolve the Ukraine war over the coming six months rather than the day he retakes office; the latest disinformation lessons from unprecedented wildfires in California; top Biden officials travel to South Korea, India and Ukraine; Lebanon’s new government; Israel’s new strategy that labels Turkey an enemy and plans to reduce dependence on America after Trump’s term ends; and President Jimmy Carter’s lifetime of service.

We begin our look at the major airpower issues in the year ahead, and China’s Boxing Day surprise, with Lieutenant General Dave Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. And we have a lot – a whole lot – of headlines in airpower.

We begin our look at the major airpower issues in the year ahead, and China’s Boxing Day surprise, with Lieutenant General Dave Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. And we have a lot – a whole lot – of headlines in airpower.

On today’s program, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, Mark Montgomery, a retired US Navy rear admiral who is now the senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the executive director of the Cyber Solarium 2.0 project, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss China’s recent hack of the US Treasury Department on heels of Beijing’s penetration of major US telecommunications companies, what the Flax, Volt and Salt Typhoon attacks mean, what the attacks mean as China becomes increasingly risk tolerant in the nature and scope of its cyber operations, what has to happen to stop the attacks and reestablish deterrence, Beijing’s increasingly aggressive behavior as Russia adopts increasingly hybrid warfare techniques against the United States and Western nations, how to counter such hybrid tactics like destroying undersea infrastructure, jeopardizing air cargo carriers and targeted assassinations, the global implications of the incoming Trump administration’s approach to the Ukraine war and Taiwan, and what to expect at next week’s Surface Navy Association’s national symposium.

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses and Dr. Eugene Rumer, the director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Ukraine’s latest offensive as Kyiv and Moscow jockey for position as the second Trump administration prepares to take office, whether Ukrainian forces can hold off Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s efforts to curry favor with Trump as he increasingly denigrates the President Biden as Kyiv and its allies work determine the incoming administration’s approach to the Ukraine war and Russia, the latest technological developments and more.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss newsflow during the holidays, prospect that nations forced to spend more on defense by Donald Trump will spend the increase at home rather than on US weapons, whether the world is a more dangerous place, the notion that we are in a defense spending “super cycle,” US defense spending outlook and prospect for reapportionment of resources among the military services, the Financial Times report that Anduril, Palantir, SpaceX and other defense tech firms are considering forming a consortium to better compete for DoD business, ensuring fairness in competitions between heritage and new defense firms, the big issues of 2025, and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss defense and aerospace stock performance and newsflow during the holidays, President-elect Trump’s call for NATO governments to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, Airbus delivers 765 jets to customers in 2024 as Boeing delivers 341 planes that was down from 513 in 2023, Financial Times’ report that Palantir, Anduril, SpaceX, and several other defense tech companies were planning a “consortium” to bid for DoD contracts, the Pentagon’s Lot 18 contract for another 145 F-35 Lighting II fighters valued at nearly $12 billion, Italy orders 24 more Eurofighter Typhoon jets to replace earlier model aircraft, Saudi Arabia eyes buying 100 Turkish Kaan fighter jets, China unveils two new combat aircraft plus two radar and command planes, and what to watch in 2025.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, our editorial strategist and Cavas Ships podcast co-host Chris Servello looks back at the key events of 2024 as we look ahead to 2025; and Matt Warnick, the CEO of American Rheinmetall Vehicles, and Jason Atkinson, the CEO of Loc Performance, discuss the armored vehicle maker’s nearly $1 billion acquisition of the Michigan-based specialty company with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss aerospace and defense market performance as the Federal Reserved said it would pare back rate cuts, impact of continuing resolution turmoil fueled by Elon Musk and Donald Trump, Wall Street’s growing perception that Musk not Trump is the incoming president, how Trump’s warning that he wants Europeans to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense and how much of that increased spending will stay in Europe rather than flow to American suppliers, and a look at the events of 2024 that will shape the coming year from Boeing’s continuing challenges, Airbus failure to capitalize on its American rival’s woes, supply chain, Russia’s threat to Europe even if its war on Ukraine is paused, global trade and travel implications of economic warfare, Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and predictions for 2025.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored in part by Hanwha Defense USA, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s torpedoing of a bipartisan spending measure of keep government open through March, prospects of a government shutdown through the holidays — potentially spanning through the inauguration — analysis of the key events of 2024 that will shape the coming year the coming year, and predictions for the United States, China, the Ukraine war, Syria and the broader Middle East.

What’d You Miss? We review 2024’s big airpower stories from the US and around the world with Dr. Brendan Mulvaney, Director of the China Aerospace Studies Institute at National Defense University, and Aviation Week defense editor Steve Trimble. Plus the week’s top airpower headlines. All powered by GE!

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses and Dr. Eugene Rumer, the director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss key moments in Russia’s war on Ukraine during 2024; whether the end of the war in the coming months will come as a reprieve just as Moscow is feeling economic pressure and growing casualties, allowing it to recharge for its next confrontation with NATO; how the outgoing and incoming administrations are playing the roles of good cop-bad cop to end the war; implications of the ouster of Bashar al-Assad on Russia; the assassination of Russia’s nuclear and chemical forces chief Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov by Ukraine’s secret service; and what to expect from Moscow over the coming weeks as the prospect of the war’s end approaches.

On this innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference next April in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer and principle author of the 18 Theses — also known as The Defense Reformation — joined Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discusses his blueprint to revamp the US industrial base to boost innovation, agility and output at to help America better deter adversaries while it also better prepares for possible conflict, the core elements of necessary change, the biggest sins of the current system, enticing commercial firms to return to the defense market, leveling the playing field, importance of empowered individuals to drive change, getting Congress to embrace change including higher tolerance for risk, balancing roles for new and heritage companies whether in software or hardware, when a company is truly commercial and when not when doing business with the Pentagon and more. Our monthly technology coverage is brought to you by Clarion Defence and their Apex Conference. We are pleased to be partnered with Clarion to highlight Apex and bring you the types of conversations and issue coverage you can expect at the two-day event next April in Washington.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss political, market and international surprises in 2024 that will be consequential in the coming year; a look at the National Defense Authorization Act and appropriations expectations; the IISS’ global outlook; the Washington International Trade Association’s take on Trump and tariffs; the Defense Innovation Unit and the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft; HII’s shipyard acquisition; and a look at the week ahead.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a mixed and bumpy week on Wall Street, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker’s decision to step down in January, Boeing’s decision to invest $1 billion to accelerate 787 Dreamliner production, defense spending implications of Moody’s decision to downgrade France’s credit rating after political turmoil in Paris, report that Donald Trump told Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet that he would cancel the F-35 Lighting II program that the defense giant flatly rejects, and update on the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Program, eight years after leaving the European Union Britain’s Prime Minister Kier Starmer met with European Council President Antonio Costa to deepen cooperation, and Hensoldt’s capital markets day.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored in part by Hanwha Defense USA, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the increasing likelihood that Donald Trump will garner Senate approval for his controversial nominees including Pete Hegseth at DoD thanks to muscular intimidation tactics directed toward lawmakers, analysis of the $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act that includes another big military pay rise, support for Ukraine and Taiwan and an end to covid vaccine mandates, an update on an appropriations measure to keep government running as another debt debate looms, what’s next now that militants backed by Turkey have ended Bashar al Assad’s brutal regime as the Syrian dictator flees to Moscow, outlook for Ukraine as Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, China stages a massive military exercise around Taiwan to protest Taiwanese president Lai Ching Te’s visit to Hawaii and Guam, South Korea still rocked by Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, Washington’s latest effort to help end the Gaza war, and what to expect at this year’s 125th Army-Navy game outside Washington.

Army Aviation director BG Matt Braman joins us with the latest on the senior service’s efforts to leave the ground with and without pilots aboard. Introducing the VH-75! And the week’s top airpower headlines. All powered by GE!

On today’s show, Jay Meil, the vice president for artificial intelligence and data analytics and the chief data officer at SAIC, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss US AI capabilities in comparison to adversaries and the key to remaining ahead in a global race, abilitiesm, what constitutes AI, how it differs from machine learning, better gathering in standardized and usable form the vast amounts of data the Pentagon produces, whether the DoD should be developing its own AI capabilities of become a smarter buyer of the technology from commercial industry, how to get AI to the edge and be usable in emission denied environments, and more.

On this Land Warfare episode, sponsored by American Rheinmetall, Young Bang, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics & technology, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the digital transformation of the force, areas for improvement as the second Trump administrations prepares to take office, delivering capabilities at the speed of relevance, lessons from the other military services to help the Army step up its digital game, addressing criticism of the software modernization memorandum issued earlier this year, concerns the service if more focused on process before it sets requirements for major systems, bringing together small start ups as well as heritage contractors to develop capabilities, and harnessing AI and preparing for a quantum computing future.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, former Pentagon Comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim and emeritus National Defense Industrial Association Chairman Arnold Punaro discuss key takeaways from the 11th Reagan National Defense forum; Building the Base podcast hosts former Navy Acquisition chief Hondo Geurts and Beacon Global Strategies’ Lauren Bedula discuss defense industrial themes at Reagan; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses defense implications of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and what’s next for the region, the NDAA, Vivek Ramaswamy’s comments at Aspen next week and what they mean for the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, defense mobilization, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss aerospace and defense stock performance on Wall Street and in Europe, Airbus’ delivery figures and whether 737 Max production remained stalled after a seven-week strike, a federal judge rejected Boeing’s $1 billion plea deal for misleading regulators leading to two deadly 737 crashes, Safran’s capital markets day, the US Air Force decision to leave the fate of the manned fighter element of the service’s Next Generation Air Dominance program to the incoming Trump administration, a week after Elon Musk criticized the F-35 Lightning II fighters Britain’s defense chief Adm. Sir Tony Radakin lauded the “power” of the stealthy jet noting Israel used them and low observable JASSM cruise missiles — fired from more than 100 miles outside Iran’s borders — to devastate the country’s air defenses, India’s interest in more Rafale fighters as Saudi Arabia also eyes the Dassault Aviation jet, and Sweden, Denmark and Ukraine order $2.5 billion in CV90 combat vehicles from BAE Systems.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored in part by Hanwha Defense USA, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Donald Trump’s top administration picks including Russ Vought at the Office of Management and Budget; Pete Hegseth’s prospects as defense secretary; whether “outsider” leaders like Steve Feinberg as deputy secretary, John Phelan as Navy secretary and Dan Driscoll as Army secretary can succeed without more traditional deputies; an update on the National Defense Authorization Act, appropriations and a continuing resolution as lawmakers map a major tax cut package; House Speaker Mike Johnson makes clear he won’t support more assistance for Ukraine as both the White House and European nations step up aid for an increasingly beleaguered Kyiv; Russia increases saberrattling with threats, exercises in the Mediterranean and Moscow’s top general calls his US counterpart for the first time in more than two years; South Kore’s President Yoon Suk Yeol comes under fire for declaring martial law; Trump’s vow to block Nippon Steel from acquiring US Steel; rebels in Syria take the country’s biggest city Aleppo and Hama as Georgia is roiled in antigovernment turmoil; Israel and Hezbollah strike a deal as operations continue in Gaza and the West Bank; and what to expect at the Reagan National Defense Forum this weekend.

When Elon Musk declares manned military aircraft should be entirely replaced by drones, is he taking a step too far? Renowned aviation journalist and technologist Bill Sweetman joins us to look at whether the future is (or even can be) entirely uninhabited. And the week’s top airpower headlines. All powered by GE!

On today’s Technology Report, David Schild, the executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America, discusses proposed Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates legislation as part of the tax reconciliation package that would cut taxes on printed circuit boards and substrates by 25 percent, the case for supporting an industry that left the United States in search of lower production costs, and the association’s 2025 agenda; and Dr. Charles Middleton, the chief technology officer at Critical Frequency Design, discusses the role of photonics technologies that promise to revolutionize military communications, the company’s Free Space Optics (FSO) communications solution that was recently tested under the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division’s Silent Swarm 2024 exercise, the future of the technology, and the outlook of the company as it seeks to navigate the Valley of Death with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Barbara Matthews, a US Treasury Department veteran and first Treasury attache to the European Union who is the founder of BCM Strategy, discusses why the US dollar is the world’s reserve currency and the power that status confers, how the reliance on the dollar subjects the world to US laws and oversight, why allies and adversaries are interested in alternatives to the dollar that Washington has increasingly “weaponized” to influences friends and foes especially during the first Trump presidency, how the advent of new digital currencies and alternatives could undermine the power of the dollar and US influence, whether President-elect Trump’s threat to impose 100 percent tariffs on any nation that participates in a dollar alternative will stop such moves, what circumstances could drive allies to break from the dollar, and how the growing US debt and threats of default threaten the dollar with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Anlyses, discusses Russia’s grinding advance on Ukrainian positions in Kursk and Donbas and Luhansk, importance of Germany’s new $700 million pledge and US efforts to surge weapons to Kyiv, Vladimir Putin’s challenges as casualties mount and Russia’s economy falters, statements by leading European officials that Moscow may be behind the deadly crash of a DHL cargo plane over Lithuania, Putin’s call for a new Russian unmanned force, the unmanned air warfare lessons Syrian and other rebel groups have learned from Ukraine; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the “headline risk” that defense and aerospace firms will be subjected to in a second Trump administration whether from the president or his acolytes, impact of possible tariffs on companies in Canada and Mexico that are integral to the US aerospace and defense industrial base, what Trump’s personnel picks may mean, balancing manned and unmanned capability, the good and bad characteristics of the “tech bro” venture capital mindset, an update on the budget and appropriations as Congress returns to DC, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss another week of gains on Wall Street, but worries mount as Donald Trump pledges to hike tariffs by 25 percent on Canada and Mexico and 10 percent on China, Elon Musk takes aim at the F-35 Lightning II fighter and argues it’s time that drones replace unmanned systems, the prospect of greater change at the Pentagon as the incoming administration taps outsiders with little defense experience for key jobs — like John Phelan, founder of the Rugger Management investment firm — as navy secretary, a Boeing 737 freighter operated by DHL crashed in Lithuania killing one and injured three as senior officials suggest Russia may be behind the incident, Emirates CEO Tim Clark expresses frustration over the five-year delay in the delivery of Boeing’s new 777X, MTU’s new 2025 guidance showing a strong engine aftermarket, takeaways from this year’s Atlantic Future Forum, and a look ahead to Safran’s capital markets day.

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Dr. Darrell Bricker, the CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs and adviser on the annual agenda of the annual Halifax International Security Forum, discusses the results of the HISF-Ipsos Threat Index derived from polling 22, 000 people in more than 30 countries; and retired US Navy Adm. Mike Rogers, a former director of the National Security Agency and commander of US Cyber Command who is now the chairman of the advisory board of cybersecurity firm Claroty, discusses China’s Salt Typhoon attack on US and allied communications systems, the cutting of a fiber-optic cable between Finland and Germany, and takeaways from this year’s Halifax Forum with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Dr. Evelyn Farkas, the executive director of MccAin Institute at Arizona State University who helps pick the honoree of the annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service awarded each year at the Halifax International Security Forum, discusses takeaways from this year’s gathering, the importance of Ukrainian victory over Russia for democracies worldwide, the two leaders honored with the McCain Prize this year — Vladimir Kara Murza in 2024 for his courage against Vladimir Putin and former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen in 2020 for her stance against an increasingly belligerent China — the best outcome for Ukraine as Donald Trump vows a fast end to the war, the role of American leadership and a look ahead to Halifax organizers HFX’s conference in Taipei Feb. 20-21, 2025; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the latest on the transaction to a second Trump administration including possible deputy defense secretary picks including investor Stephen Fineberg and Anduril co-founder Trae Stevens, Elon Musk’s tweet that F-35 Lighting II fighter maker Lockheed Martin are “idiots” and that more armed drones are needed in the future, how the Department of Government Efficiency will deliver savings, the importance of process reforms over merely cutting workforce, the importance of cutting cycle times in executing big projects whether building the Pentagon or designing the iPod, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss Wall Street’s new highs continuing a year’s long winning streak; Boeing job cuts as CEO Kelly Ortberg is quoted saying his staff spends more time arguing than strategizing how to beat Airbus; the US Air Force order for 15 more KC-46 Pegasus tankers that only entered full operational service in October; as the world ponders whether Donald Trump will continue to support Ukraine, Rheinmetall tells investors at its capital markets day that defense spending is on an upswing, Britain makes defense cuts, retiring 31 helicopters, Watchkeeper UAVs, and three Royal Navy ships; British and French authorities launch a bribery probe into Thales, worries that a Chinese cable-laying ship captained by a Russian may have cut a fiber optic undersea capable between Finland and Germany; and AeroVironment’s $4.1 billion of Blue Halo.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, Dr. Kathleen McInnis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and former Pentagon Comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim join host Vago Muradian to discuss Donald Trump’s drive to continues to fill out his cabinet as he stalls the transition by refusing to fill out the necessary ethics paperwork, whether Congress will recess on Jan 20 to allow controversial nominees to take office for two years without Senate approval, after President Biden allowed Ukraine to fire US-made strike weapons into Russia, Britain followed suit and Ukraine fired 10 Storm Shadow missiles at Russian command bunker killing 18 Russians including a top commander and three North Koreans and wounding one of Pyongyang’s top commanders, Moscow’s amped up nuclear rhetoric and firing new medium-range conventional ballistic missiles at Ukraine, a Chinese cable ship is suspected of severing an undersea cable connecting Finland and Germany on Moscow’s behalf, Biden meets with world leaders including Xi Jinping, the commander of the Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Sam Paparo issued warnings as India tested a new hypersonic missile, and the international criminal court issued arrest warrant for Bibi Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Ibrahim al-Masri prompting fury in Washington.

With a new administration headed for power, we’re gathering recommendations for priorities in military aviation. This week, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies executive director Doug Birkey. A little bit of Antiques Airshow. And the week’s top airpower headlines. All powered by GE!

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Mark Montgomery, a retired US Navy rear admiral who is now the senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the executive director of the Cyber Solarium 2.0 project, discusses President Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-made precision missiles into Russia, Vladimir Putin’s escalating nuclear threats and increasing Russian sabotage operations including suspected cutting of undersea cable between Finland and Germany, recommendations for the new administration on cyber as well as AI and science investment, the need for a stand-alone Cyber Force, the wisdom of Taiwan’s recent statement it would buy US destroyers and F-35 Lighting II fighters to curry favor with President-Elect Trump, and the problematic nature of the incoming administration’s reported plans against senior military officers.

On this innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference next year in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, retired Adm. Sir George Zambellas, the Royal Navy’s 100th First Sea Lord who now advises small innovative companies, discusses lessons from the Ukraine war, a “Darwinian” approach to the development of cutting edge technologies including AI without artificial constraints, the need to envision how adversaries will weaponize breakthrough technologies, determining the right balance between manned and autonomous systems, preparing the force to better exploit AI and autonomous capabilities, how allies and partners can work together in more competitive environment and where mutual trust is weakened and more with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. To learn more about the Apex conference, sponsorship and attendance opportunities please visit apexdefense.org

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security discusses President Biden’s decision to allow Kyiv to use US supplied weapons against Russia steps up strikes on Ukraine’s power grid and 50,000 Russian and North Korean forces entr the fray, whether the new weapons will change the course of the war that’s expected to end the day Donald Trump returns to the White House, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz’s phone call with Vladimir Putin; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses Trump’s picks for top jobs, the implications of the Department of Government Efficiency and deep cuts to spending as well as the federal workforce, takeaways from the Mitchell Institute’s Airpower Future Forum and the Naval Submarine League’s annual symposium, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss Wall Street’s year-long surge that’s showing signs of slowing as worries about the Department of Government Efficiency to trim federal spending by $2 trillion a year hits services companies, incoming administration fills top national security jobs as focus shifts to key Pentagon management and acquisition jobs, allies adjust to the new reality as Taiwan says it will spend more on defense and buy US destroyers and fighter jets it doesn’t need to curry favor with the incoming president, what Friedrich Merz will mean for Germany and Europe as Olaf Scholtz’s “traffic light” coalition collapses, Boeing jet production resumes, activist investor Elliott buys a $5 billion sake in Honeywell and demands the breakup of the nation’s last big conglomerate, air cargo market softens as worries grow that economy will slow, and the number of parked jets waiting for Geared Turbofan updates increases to 729.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored in part by Hanwha Defense USA, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon Comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim join host Vago Muradian discuss Donald Trump’s cabinet picks including China hawks like Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as well as controversial picks like Tulsi Gabbard, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Fox host Pete Hegseth; whether House and Senate Republicans will agree to recess thereby allowing Trump’s nominees to take office without a conventional confirmation process; implications of proposed cull of senior military officers under effort to counter DEI and lack of “warrior” ethos; US allies and partners work to repostion themselves to curry favor with incoming administration including Taiwan’s preemptive proposal to boost defense including and buy US Aegis destroyers and F-35 fighters; Russia’s efforts to influence Trump; what’s next in the Middle East after Israeli leaders propose annexing of parts of West Bank and Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed bin Salman labels Israel’s actions as genocide and Qatar ends mediation role; and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Airpower begins with airmen. An innovative US Air Force Reserve artificial intelligence system gets the right people into the jobs where they are most needed. Brigadier General Mike McGinley joins us to explain how the system, called GigEagle, makes the military more effective. And we have the week’s headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!

Andy Green, the president of HII’s Mission Technologies division, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss his business’ growth including $12 billion in orders this year as a leading maker of unmanned underwater systems, and top US government provider of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as Live, Virtual Constructive Training; importance of Mission Technologies HII’s future growth and to offset revised shipbuilding outlook; how AI, ML and LVC technologies are helping improve the company’s performance on ship design, construction and repair; hiring and retaining top talent to continue growth and executing on growing awards; and some recommendations for the incoming administration on how to streamline acquisition processes to field capabilities more quickly.

On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Peter Van Praagh, the president of HFX — the organizer of the annual Halifax International Security Forum that brings to better government, diplomatic, military, economic and civil society leaders each weekend before Thanksgiving in Halifax, Nova Scotia — discusses the implications of the re-election of former President Trump; the importance of US leadership and the case against isolationism; why it’s vital the international community continue to support Ukraine in its fight for survival; why a loss for Kyiv would be globally destabilizing including encouraging China to attack Taiwan; the importance of allies and partners and whether tariffs and caustic rhetoric could undermine key relationships; the power of disinformation to mobilize voters and citizens; the need for US leaders to make the case why democracy, internationalism and importance of allies; and a look at the agenda of the upcoming forum with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses and Dr. Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discuss the Ukraine war as Russian redoubles efforts to make gains as President-election Trump vows to swiftly end the conflict, and whether Ukraine can survive without US assistance; and Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners discusses the impact of a new Trump administration on US national security, whether control of the White House and Congress increases the prospect for more defense spending or deep cuts as part of a government-wide effort to trim $2 trillion in spending, and a look at the week ahead with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Rocket Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss surging US markets Donald Trump’s election for a second term and another Federal Reserve rate cut as economists warn tariff wars would jeopardize a red hot economy; with Republicans in charge of the White House, the Senate and the House, rising hope that defense spending will increase significantly; worried about America’s reliability, Germany is considering killing its debt brake to boost military spending; in a signal of its own, Britain backs the Global Combat Aircraft Program with Italy and Japan even before it concludes its Strategic Defence Review; Boeing machinists return to work ending a seven-week strike as the company considers selling its Jeppesen navigation business; Bombardier, BWXT, Embraer, Hensoldt, Leonardo, Mercury Systems, Palantir, Rheinmetall, Leonardo post results as Rolls and Chemring issue trading statements; and Spirit AeroSystems warns that its future is in doubt.