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The Aerospace Advantage

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
The Aerospace Advantage
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200 episodes

  • The Aerospace Advantage

    Jimmy Stewart: The Combat Airman — Ep. 314

    31/10/2026 | 51 mins.
    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
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    F-117: Facts Behind the Legend — Ep. 313

    24/10/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
    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 and lethal integrated air 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
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    Tidal Wave: Understanding the Ploiești Raid — Ep. 312

    17/10/2026 | 1h
    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
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    GPS Update: What Does the Future Hold? — Ep. 311

    10/10/2026 | 31 mins.
    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
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    Weapons in Space, AI Predictions, and F-35 Readiness Gains: The Rendezvous — Ep. 310

    03/10/2026 | 57 mins.
    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
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About The Aerospace Advantage
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to present The Aerospace Advantage, with Heather ”Lucky” Penney as the host. Every week, Lucky takes listeners into the world of aerospace power and help the audience understand what it takes to fly and fight in the sky, while also protecting America’s interests in space. Whether talking to top generals, standing on a flight line full of combat aircraft, looking at a rocket being prepared for launch, or hearing from those who have laid it all on the line in defense of the nation—this podcast will afford unprecedented access and insight into where the combat aerospace community is going and why.
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