The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

Command and Control Imperatives for the 21st Century: The Next Areas of Growth for ABMS and JADC2

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is pleased to announce a new entry in its Policy Paper series, Command and Control Imperatives for the 21st Century: The Next Areas of Growth for ABMS and JADC2, by Doug Birkey, Executive Director of the Mitchell Institute.

The Air Force is at a major juncture in the development of command and control (C2) capabilities. Under the aegis of the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) programs, the Air Force is pushing ahead with efforts to modernize its C2 architecture by capitalizing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Faced with the heightened threat environment created by America’s adversaries, these investments are critical to the Air Force’s ability to operate and win in future conflicts. To maximize the advantages yielded by new technologies, the Air Force must develop a tiered strategy for modernizing its C2 capabilities, one in which the human professional remains at the core.

This virtual rollout of the Mitchell Institute’s new policy paper, Command and Control Imperatives for the 21st Century: The Next Areas of Growth for ABMS and JADC2, explores how the Air Force can pursue a holistic risk mitigation approach to C2ISR that blends innovation, operationally mature systems, and backup redundancies. Maj Gen (Ret.) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research of the Mitchell Institute, leads a discussion with author Doug Birkey and Air Force Air Battle Managers Col Nelson “Bigfoot” Rouleau and Maj Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis.

 

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: Dr. Chris Ford and Dr. Susan Koch

The Mitchell Institute host Dr. Chris Ford, Former Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, and Dr. Susan Koch, Distinguished Research Fellow with the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at National Defense University, on its Nuclear Deterrence Forum.  Dr. Koch and Dr. Ford join us at a critical time as the Biden administration is seeking re-entry into the JCPOA and the threat of nuclear proliferation around the world is on the rise. They share their insights into current international nonproliferation and arms control treaties, China's nuclear buildup, and U.S. nuclear modernization efforts, among other topics.

Aerospace Nation: Dr. Victoria Coleman, Air Force Chief Scientist

Dr. Victoria Coleman, Chief Scientist of the U.S. Air Force, joins us at a critical time for the Air Force's modernization priorities. She will shares her insights into the Air Force's science and technology strategy, the evolution of autonomy, and the development of the Advanced Battle Management System.

Building an Agile Force: The Imperative for Speed & Adaptation in the U.S. Aerospace Industrial Base

The U.S. Air Force is the oldest and smallest that it has ever been. The problem isn’t simply budget but acquisition behavior. At the rollout of the Mitchell Institute’s new research report, Building an Agile Force: The Imperative for Speed and Adaptation in the U.S. Aerospace Industrial Base, the authors explore how the Air Force can rejuvenate the aerospace industry to achieve a force that can innovatively outpace peer adversaries. Lt Gen (Ret.) Dave Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute, leads a discussion with co-author Heather Penney and Dr. Tim Grayson, director of DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office, on how the U.S. Air Force can accelerate change and evolve to a more mosaic force.

REPORT: https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/single-post/building-an-agile-force

Space Power Forum: Lt Gen JT Thompson, Commander, USSF Space and Missile Systems Center

The Space Force recently unveiled new details of its plans to establish Space Systems Command to oversee the new service’s acquisition and launch service—and redesignate Space and Missile Systems Center as its headquarters. Lt Gen JT Thompson shares his insights and perspective on the standup of the new command, as well as how Space Force is working to both improve acquisition and better leverage services available in the commercial space market.

Space Power Forum: Maj Gen DeAnna Burt

The Mitchell Institute hosts Maj Gen DeAnna Burt, Commander, Combined Force Space Component Command, U.S. Space Command; and Deputy Commander, Space Operations Command, U.S. Space Force, as part of its Space Power Forum series. A few years ago, the Department of Defense was not even permitted to use the terms “space” and “warfighting” in the same sentence. Today, with threats in space rapidly accelerating, U.S. Space Command is “preparing for the war not yet fought.” General Burt shares her insights on how SPACECOM is thinking about future conflict in space, establishing rules and norms for behavior in space, and promoting greater integration and interoperability both with other COCOMs as well as with partners and allies.

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: Dr. Matthew Kroenig and Mr. Matthew Costlow

Nuclear modernization is key to maintaining the U.S. nuclear deterrence capability. Dr. Kroenig and Mr. Costlow, two established experts in nuclear deterrence strategy and policy, join the Mitchell Insitute to discuss the modernization of the ICBM force; how our nuclear deterrent affects our allies, partners, and adversaries; and what China and Russia's modernization means for our own nuclear forces.

Aerospace Nation: Understanding the Long-Range Strike Debate

There is broad consensus on the need to increase the U.S. military’s long-range strike capacity. There is also significant debate over which investments would result in the greatest return for America’s warfighters. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and the Hudson Institute host a live virtual rollout of our joint policy paper, Understanding the Long-Range Strike Debate. Authors Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies; Lukas Autenried, Senior Analyst at the Mitchell Institute; and Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow & Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute present their analysis of this issue. The paper compares the ranges, costs, target suitability, and other attributes of candidate long-range strike capabilities, including surface-launched weapons and those delivered by combat aircraft. Maj Gen (Ret.) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research at the Mitchell Institute, leads a discussion with the authors on how DOD can maximize its future long-range strike capacity in an era of flat or declining defense budgets while balancing the cost of redundancy with the benefit of greater resiliency.

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: Lt Gen James Dawkins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration

The Mitchell Institute hosts our virtual Nuclear Deterrence Forum event with Lt Gen James Dawkins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. Sustaining and modernizing the nuclear enterprise remains one of the most delicate challenges facing the United States today. Gen Dawkins shares his insights into the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent program, command and control infrastructure for the nuclear enterprise, and nuclear modernization budget priorities.

Space Power Forum: Maj Gen Leah Lauderback, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance at Headquarters U.S. Space Force

Maj Gen Leah Lauderback, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance at Headquarters U.S. Space Force, joins us on our Space Power Forum. As the newest member of the Intelligence Community, the Space Force's ISR directorate is standing up at a time when the possibilities—and threats—in space are accelerating. Gen Lauderback shares her insights into the challenges of characterizing threats in space, plans for a National Space Intelligence Center, and the value of working with partners and allies.