The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

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.

Aerospace Nation: Gen Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, Commander of Air Mobility Command

The Mitchell Institute hosts Gen Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, Commander of Air Mobility Command, on Aerospace Nation. As the Air Force transitions to an era of global competition, the ability to rapidly project and sustain the Joint Force is more critical than ever. Gen Van Ovost, currently nominated to command U.S. Transportation Command, discusses how Air Mobility Command is rethinking the role of Rapid Global Mobility in the battlespace, contributing to the Joint All Domain Command and Control concept of operations, and responding to changes in the global security environment.

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: Franklin C. Miller

Join the Mitchell Institute's Peter Huessy and Mr. Franklin C. Miller, principal at the Scowcroft Group, as they discuss the importance of the ICBM leg of the triad, the need for warhead modernization, and why maintaining a modern nuclear triad is essential to U.S. national security needs of the 21^st century.

Aerospace Nation: Actualizing "Accelerate Change" with Lt Col Mike Benitez

The Mitchell Institute hosts a live virtual Aerospace Nation series event on Actualizing “Accelerate Change” with Lt Col Mike Benitez, Director of Staff for the Air Force’s 53rd Wing. As staff director for the Air Force’s primary Operational Test wing, Lt Col Benitez has an up-close view of the Air Force’s efforts to realize Chief Brown’s “accelerate change” directive. He shares his insights into the Air Force’s new Black Flag exercise, the F-35’s move to an Agile Software Development framework, and the Joint All Domain Operations concept’s unique attributes. Lt Gen (Ret) Dave Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, moderates the discussion and facilitates audience Q&A

Aerospace Nation: Airborne Augmented Reality

Listen to our live virtual Aerospace Nation panel discussion on Airborne Augmented Reality with long-time SASC staffer Robert “Otis” Winkler and Red 6’s Gen (Ret) Mike Holmes and Dan Robinson. The U.S. Air Force pilot readiness gap is only increasing. The pace of technological innovation and adoption must accelerate rapidly in order to fill the pilot shortage gap and secure U.S. and allied airspace. This discussion examines how augmented reality and artificial intelligence can help transform the way the Air Force prepares pilots for future conflicts and ultimately enhance our national security.

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: Dr. Mark Schneider

The Mitchell Institute hosted a live virtual Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense Forum event with Dr. Mark Schneider, Senior Analyst at the National Institute for Public Policy. Dr. Schneider joined us at a critical time in the relationship between Washington and Moscow. He shared his insights into Russia’s nuclear modernization programs and doctrine, the importance of the U.S. nuclear triad, and considerations for the Biden administration’s approach to nuclear deterrence strategy. Peter Huessy, Director of Strategic Deterrent Studies at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, moderated the discussion and facilitated audience Q&A.

Aerospace Nation: Aerospace Vectors for the Incoming Biden Administration

President Biden’s defense team faces a number of challenges around the globe, but they also have significant opportunities to bolster America’s national security for decades to come. The Mitchell Institute hosts a live virtual Aerospace Nation event on Thursday, March 4 with Lt Gen (Ret) Dave Deptula, Dean, and Mr. Doug Birkey, Executive Director, as they discuss their new policy paper, Aerospace Vectors for the Incoming Biden Defense Team. Maj Gen (Ret) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies moderates.