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The Aerospace Advantage: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies presents The Aerospace Advantage, hosted by Heather ”Lucky” Penney. Each episode explores the world of aerospace power, offering insight into what it takes to fly and fight in the sky and protect America’s interests in space. Lucky speaks with top generals, personnel on flight lines with combat aircraft, teams preparing rockets for launch, and others who have served in defense of the nation, providing a deep look into the future of the combat aerospace community and the reasons behind its direction.
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- 5 days ago51 min
Jimmy Stewart: The Combat Airman — Ep. 314
Episode Summary: Jimmy Stewart’s example of military service in World War II and the Cold War speaks volumes about the integrity, commitment, and values that defined one of Hollywood’s most famous actors. A new movie, Jimmy, brings this history to the big screen. Join us as we speak with Jimmy Stewart’s daughter and the movie’s executive producer, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, plus Aaron Burns, the film’s director. We explore Stewart’s wartime performance in the context of those eras of airpower history in which he served. As a public figure who was present during some of the most formative years of the Air Force, his record of service stands as an inspiration for future generations of airmen. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Kelly Stewart-Harcourt Guest: Aaron Burns 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 #History #Airpower
- 1 weeks ago1h 13m
F-117: Facts Behind the Legend — Ep. 313
Episode Summary: The F-117 Nighthawk: it’s one of the biggest game changers in the history of airpower. Ever since the dawn of military aviation, airmen sought to strike deep within enemy territory. The problem: increasingly sophisticated integrated air and missile defense networks. The F-117 changed the rules of the game by leveraging lessons learned from Vietnam and combining stealth technology with precision strike munitions. The world learned this on night one of the Desert Storm air campaign. To mark this incredible achievement, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum just placed an F-117 on display for the public. Join us to hear from those who were present during the early days of the program, flew the jet, helped employ it, and the particulars surrounding the restoration and display of Smithsonian’s newest aircraft. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, 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: Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Guest: Dr. Richard Hallion Guest: Dr. Michael Hankins 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 #History #Airpower
- 2 weeks ago1h 0m
Tidal Wave: Understanding the Ploiești Raid — Ep. 312
Episode Summary: On August 1, 1943, 178 B-24s flew an incredibly daring strike against Axis oil refineries in Ploiești, Romania. The mission saw the loss of 54 bombers and nearly 500 airmen. Five individuals received the Medal of Honor, and a further 56 were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Join us as we chat with author Adam Makos regarding his newest book, Tidal Wave, the history surrounding the Ploiești bombing raid, and the crew of the B-24 Chattanooga Choo Choo. Not only do we talk about this important history, but we also learn more about how Adam approaches his airpower history research and writing projects. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Adam Makos, Author 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 #History #Airpower
- 3 weeks ago31 min
GPS Update: What Does the Future Hold? — Ep. 311
Episode Summary: The Global Position System (GPS) is deeply engrained in modern life, both civil and military. It's so ubiquitous that most people take it for granted. This technology is the worldwide “gold standard” for precision space-based positioning, navigation, and timing. These functions underpin everything from mobile networks and power grids to global financial transactions and modern farming. They also facilitate a broad range of military operations. However, our adversaries understand these dependencies and seek to hold the GPS enterprise at risk. Join our in-depth discussion with Christina Mancinelli, the Vice President of Global Communications & Navigation at Lockheed Martin, as we learn how the United States is investing in this critical mission to ensure necessary functions continue, even when under attack. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Director & Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Christina Mancinelli, Vice President, Global Communications & Navigation, Lockheed Martin 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 #Space #GPS
- Oct 3, 202657 min
Weapons in Space, AI Predictions, and F-35 Readiness Gains: The Rendezvous — Ep. 310
Episode Summary: This week, we assess what’s going on in our nation’s capital as elections grow near and the window for passing legislation is closing. We also discuss the SECAF's announcement regarding weapons in space, plus his thoughts on the future of AI. Our team reviews the latest fighter aviation news—from F-35 combat readiness rates to the proposed F-16G. Experts then explain what's going on with munitions--from FAM to JATM and JASSM. The EA-37 also takes center stage, with the retirement of the EC-130H. Last but not least, if Sun Tzu said, "Know thy enemy," then why is the Air Force shuttering its China Aerospace Studies Institute? Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts & Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Director & Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 #AirForce #SpaceForce #Rendezvous
- Sep 26, 202642 min
Want AF Airpower? Understanding Force Presentation — Ep. 309
Episode Summary: The effectiveness of Air Force airpower ultimately comes down to how the service presents forces to the combatant commanders. Post-9/11 operations saw units sliced and diced based on smaller unit type codes and individual Airmen to meet various mission taskers. While this approach may have bridged operations for Afghanistan and Iraq, it's inadequate for the demand signals the service sees today and as it prepares for for high-end conflict. Join us as we chat with Brig. Gen. Chris Hammond to learn about the Air Force's new force presentation concept: Air Expeditionary Wing 2.0--a concept that focuses on the wing-echelon as a unit of action. Brig. Gen. Hammond currently serves as Special Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff, where leads the Implementation Task Force, which is responsible for the development and standup of the Unit of Action defining the Air Force’s future force presentation model. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, Special Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff 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 #AirForce
- Sep 19, 202646 min
The Readiness Challenge: Can AI Help? — Ep. 308
Episode Summary: Readiness is one of the biggest challenges facing the Air Force as Airmen strive to meet surging demand with an aircraft inventory that is old and small. Service leaders have prioritized boosting readiness, which involves buying more spare parts, qualifying more suppliers, retaining more seasoned maintainers, and continue to buy new aircraft. To be truly successful, we also need to master the various readiness data sets so that we can better understand when, how, and why aircraft are facing issues…while also gaining better insights about what fixes will deliver the best results. We chat with Melissa Sutherland, executive vice president and airpower market lead at Booz Allen, to learn more about how AI might help crack this challenge. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Melissa Sutherland, Executive Vice President, Air Power Market Lead, Booz Allen Hamilton 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 #AI #readiness
- Sep 12, 202637 min
Air Combat Propulsion Update: Innovator Perspectives — Ep. 307
Episode Summary: Jet propulsion is one of the most important technologies in airpower. Whether you’re going head-to-head with an enemy fighter, crossing an ocean on a mobility flight, or trying to make it back to base amidst bad weather at night…there’s nothing more important than having confidence in the engine that’s powering your airplane. The technology is so dependable these days that folks just expect them to work. That said, we can’t take this position of strength for granted. Competitors like China are trying to catch up with their own designs. We are in a propulsion race and we can only preserve our lead if we continue to invest in new technologies and produce at scale. We learn more about this topic with Peter Sommerkorn, Vice President for Military Development Programs at Pratt and Whitney, and Chris Hugill, Vice President for the company’s prototyping arm, Gatorworks. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Peter Sommerkorn, Vice President, Military Development Programs, Pratt & Whitney Guest: Chris Hugill, Vice President, Pratt & Whitney GATORWORKS 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 #AirForce #Technology
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About The Aerospace Advantage
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies presents The Aerospace Advantage, hosted by Heather ”Lucky” Penney. Each episode explores the world of aerospace power, offering insight into what it takes to fly and fight in the sky and protect America’s interests in space. Lucky speaks with top generals, personnel on flight lines with combat aircraft, teams preparing rockets for launch, and others who have served in defense of the nation, providing a deep look into the future of the combat aerospace community and the reasons behind its direction.
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