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The Aerospace Advantage

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
The Aerospace Advantage
Latest episode

239 episodes

  • The Aerospace Advantage

    What Lessons is China Taking from Epic Fury? Key Considerations — Ep. 295

    20/06/2026 | 44 mins.
    Episode Summary:

    Whether discussing Operation Epic Fury from a strategic, operational, or tactical vantage, there's no doubt that China watched the conflict with extreme attention. There are significant lessons that range from gaining air superiority through a system of systems approach, the value of artificial intelligence, to the importance of ensuring multi-faceted resilience--whether that be diversified command and control structures, magazine depth, air and missile defense, or factors tied to sustaining the broader economy during a conflict. Heather "Lucky" Penney sits down with Mitchell Institute's China expert Mike "JDAM" Dahm to discuss these crucial issues. They also explore broader Chinese security developments--from Taiwan defense considerations to President Trump's most recent trip to Beijing.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" 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 #AirForce
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    Allied Airpower Perspectives: Brig Gen Pierre Gaudillière, Commander of the French Air Combat Command — Ep. 294

    13/06/2026 | 46 mins.
    Episode Summary:

    The ties between the French Air Force and U.S. Air Force go back to the dawn of aviation and have been intertwined ever since: from early Wright Brothers flights, the Lafayette Escadrille, World War II, operations in Afghanistan, and so much more. Today, this relationship is more important than ever given the challenges facing our respective nations. Brigadier General Pierre Gaudillière, Commander of the French Air Combat Command, joins us to explore how France views the current security environment through an airpower lens.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Brig. Gen. Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Brig. Gen. Pierre Gaudillière, Commander, French Air Combat Command

    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 #Allies #France #AirForce
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    Victory Through Production: Lessons from D-Day — Ep. 293

    06/06/2026 | 1h 3 mins.
    Episode Summary:

    When the United States was drawn into WWII, it was wholly unprepared for conflict. By June 6, 1944, America was unleashing its burgeoning military might. This largely tied back to a miracle of production in nearly every facet of the wartime economy. Many often think of this industrial boom as an inevitable wartime response. However, the reality was far more complex and precarious. It took tremendous effort.

    Eight decades later, America once again faces severe security threats. Wartime demand in places like Ukraine and the Middle East are confirming what most security experts have long known: America is unprepared to confront current security challenges. We need a lot more war materiel. Turning this corner will demand an encompassing approach from both the government and industry. Join Doug Birkey and Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute team as we chat with aerospace industrial base expert Richard Aboulafia to explore lessons learned from WWII and apply them to today's challenges.

    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: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Richard Aboulafia, Aerodynamic Advisory

    Related Reading:

    Dynamic Space Operations Paper

    Military Human Spaceflight

    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 #WWII #Dday
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    FY27 Budget, Space Force Launch, and the Future of Airpower — Ep. 292

    30/05/2026 | 54 mins.
    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, our team assesses Congress' response to the FY27 defense budget request. We also discuss SDA's new leadership, as well as Space Force's requirement for a third heavy launch site. When it comes to airpower, we explain the importance of the MQ-9 in current ops, plus the significance of E-7, EA-37B, and B-21 program developments. Our team wraps up exploring the latest trends in the Ukraine conflict.

    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: Charles Galbreath, Director & Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Doug 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

    Related Reading:

    Dynamic Space Operations Paper

    Military Human Spaceflight

    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 #budget #capitolhill
  • The Aerospace Advantage

    Epic Fury Lessons Learned: Lt. Gen. “Kooler” Krumm, USAF (Ret.) — Ep. 291

    23/05/2026 | 48 mins.
    Episode Summary:

    Operation Epic Fury has yielded important lessons learned, especially when it comes to the increasing importance of electronic warfare, the scale and scope of America’s munitions inventories, and the need for radically enhanced base protection measures. Heather "Lucky" Penney discusses these themes with Lt. Gen. David "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.) of BAE Systems. What are important operational considerations? How does the industrial base help deliver solutions to harness this recent combat experience?

    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 "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.), VP, Mission Integration, BAE Systems

    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 #electronicwarfare #industry #epicfury
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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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