The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 89 – Hypersonic Strike: Insider Perspective Episode Summary: In Episode 89 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Hypersonic Strike: Insider Perspective, John Baum engages with one of the industry teams involved with designing, building, and testing next generation hypersonic strike technologies. Peer threats, particularly those posed by China, demand a new set of enhanced strike options. Hypersonic technology is a key factor in this equation. Defense leaders know this and have launched numerous programs, committed significant funding, and maintained a consistent focus to transition developmental technologies to the operational realm. This is a marked departure from decades’ worth of an inconsistent, wandering approach to maturing hypersonic technology. After tremendous progress in the 1960s thanks to programs like the X-15, the nation effectively ceded decades of potential hypersonic progress due to a lack of clear goals, strategic program portfolio, and dependable funding. Now, with peer competition stressing US defense strategies, CONOPS, and technical capabilities in ways not seen since the Cold War, it’s time to reclaim the hypersonic advantage. This is a difficult proposition given the need to innovate on numerous fronts, develop a new generation of talent, relearn lessons, and produce urgent results amidst tremendous pressure for success. This episode provides an inside perspective regarding what it’s like to be on this journey, better understand the technology, the people behind these efforts, and why it’s so important hypersonics enter America’s operational arsenal as soon as possible. Credits: Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Producer: Daniel C. Rice Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Eric Knutson, Director at Skunk Works Advanced Systems Guest: Brian Schappacher, Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon Deputy Program Manager Guest: Arlen Kostival, Vehicle Systems Engineer 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #hypersonic #technology Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 88 – Congress' View on Air Force Modernization, Nukes, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous Episode Summary: In Episode 88 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Congress’ View on Air Force Modernization, Nukes, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous, the Mitchell Institute team gathers to discuss air and space topics that you’ve seen in the national security headlines. This week’s episode focuses on the defense bills moving through the House and Senate. We focus on the future of the F-22, the Hill’s stance on F-35, whether the Air Force’s attempt to pursue “divest to invest” is working, support for the nuclear triad, and Congress’ thoughts on sending airpower to Ukraine. We also introduce two new voices to the Rendezvous team that you’ll hear from monthly: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski and Todd “Sledge” Harmer. Credits: Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Producer: Daniel C. Rice Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Col (Ret.) Todd "Sledge" Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Col (Ret.) Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski, Principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs Submit Your Questions: [email protected] 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #usaf #nukes #ukraine #thehill Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 87 – Welcome to the World's Biggest Aerial Stage: Airpower at Oshkosh Episode Summary: In Episode 87 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Welcome to the World’s Biggest Aerial Stage: Airpower at Oshkosh, John “Slick” Baum, Doug Birkey, and John "Rain" Waters join us from the AirVenture flightline to discuss what airpower means to the public at large. The annual fly-in at Oshkosh is a legendary event. With over half a million people attending the week-long airshow in Oshkosh, WI, there is nowhere better to see everything from the newest F-35 to a vintage P-40 and everything in-between. With this year marking the 75th Anniversary of the US Air Force, airpower is certainly a high-profile topic at this year’s show. Slick and Doug talk to us about what it’s like to participate in the event—flying into the world’s busiest airport, walking the flightline, and meeting legendary aviators. They also catch up with Rain, who flew as an F-16 demo pilot in past AirVentures and learn about what goes into that sort of performance. Credits: Host: Lt Col (Ret.) 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: Maj John "Rain" Waters, Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Pilot 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Airventure #Oshkosh #AirShow Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 86 – So You Want to be a Thunderbird? Insider Perspectives Episode Summary: In Episode 86 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, So You Want to be a Thunderbird? Insider Perspectives, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum is joined by John “JV” Venable of the Heritage Foundation, former commander in the Thunderbirds, and Caroline “Blaze” Jensen, former right wing in the Thunderbirds, to reflect upon their years as members of the Air Force’s famed aerial demonstration unit. We all know the public façade—the incredible flying, polished personas, and famed liveries. However, not many people know what it’s like to execute at this intense pace day-after-day on a national stage. This conversation between three veteran Thunderbirds looks at what it’s like to be on the team from an individual perspective. Flying skills are obviously crucial, but it takes a whole lot more to succeed as a member of this group. JV was selected in 1999 to command the Thunderbirds, and was on point for every practice, deployment, and air show for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Blaze flew the right wing position for the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons. Slick flew the left wing position during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, which included an international tour in Asia. Credits: Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Co-host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Daniel C. Rice Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col (Ret.) John “JV” Venable, Senior Research Fellow, Defense Policy, Center for National Defense Guest: Lt Col (Ret.) Caroline “Blaze” Jensen, National WASP WWII Museum Board Member 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Thunderbird Thank you for your continued support!

Episode 85 – B-21: Insights About America's Newest Bomber Episode Summary: In Episode 85 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, B-21: Insights About America's Newest Bomber, John Baum chats with Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger and Chris "Jekyll" Brunner of the Mitchell Institute team about the future of the long range strike mission. Every bomber currently serving in the USAF inventory was designed in the Cold War. Not only did this see requirements optimized for a legacy threat, but technology was set at a far different baseline. To this point, the B-2 was unveiled a year before the world wide web was invented. The B-21 is truly America's first twenty first century bomber. Its requirements were optimized for a far different set of mission requirements, threat environment factors, and information age realities. This episode seeks to provide insight into the thinking that shaped the B-21 into the aircraft that will meet America's long range strike requirements for tomorrow and beyond. Credits: Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Daniel C. Rice Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col (Ret.) Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Col (Ret.) Chris "Jekyll" Brunner, Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower 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/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #B21 #Bomber Thank you for your continued support!