The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

Paper Release: Digital Engineering: Accelerating the Defense Acquisition and Development Cycle in an Era of Strategic Competition

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy the rollout for our latest report: Digital Engineering: Accelerating the Defense Acquisition and Development Cycle in an Era of Strategic Competition, authored by Heather Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, with Brian Morra, Non-Resident Visiting Fellow.

In this event, Ms. Penney discussed her findings with Dave Tremper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Acquisition Integration and Interoperability; Drake Harris, Director, ADP Integrated Systems Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin; and Jeffrey Reed, Director Of Engineering – Digital Transformation, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) faces severe capability and capacity shortfalls. Despite the urgent need to rapidly recapitalize the force, modernization lags strategic demands. Digital engineering promises to boost these efforts. Advancements in systems engineering, design, modeling, simulation, and even production can provide benefits across the entire lifecycle of a weapon system. This includes manufacturing, operation, and sustainment.

Said more simply, implementing digital engineering practices has the potential to accelerate the development and fielding of capability. New-start defense acquisition programs can fully exploit these advantages, which will save time and resources. Digital engineering can also benefit legacy weapon systems in more focused areas like sustainment and modernization.

This report explores this crucial topic, helping provide foundational insights and explaining how and when digital engineering will yield best outcomes, while also detailing where returns will be limited.

Schriever Spacepower Series: Lt Gen Philip Garrant

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to Schriever Spacepower Series with Lt Gen Philip Garrant, Commander, Space Systems Command, United States Space Force.

He discussed SSC’s reinvigorated culture and focus on delivering war-winning space capabilities. We also explored the implementation of the new DOD and USSF Commercial Space Strategies and the imperatives of speed and innovation facing the Space Force.

Schriever Spacepower Series: Maj Gen Gregory J. Gagnon, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy Schriever Spacepower Series with Maj Gen Gregory J. Gagnon, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, United States Space Force. He discussed the growing threats to our space capabilities and expanding the use of space by potential adversaries posing increased hazards to joint and coalition operations. Critical to overcoming these challenges is the successful integration of commercial and partner information. The conversation was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

Aerospace Nation: Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy Aerospace Nation with the Royal Air Force’s Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander, NATO Allied Air Command. As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, the organization’s mission is more important than ever. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, paired with a broader slate of global threats, demand a collaborative approach to safeguard our security interests with member nations. Airpower is a key means through which NATO members can both deter adversaries in times of peace and project decisive power in times of conflict. Member states routinely train for combined operations, with missions like the USAF’s bomber task force exercises and allied participation at Red Flag standing as key examples. The notion of allied NATO airpower is rapidly evolving thanks to a generational wave of modernization with member air forces, much of which is focused on 5th Generation technologies like the F-35 and RPA systems such as the MQ-9. Listen to our conversation with a key leader of NATO’s Allied Air Command to gain fresh insights about the command’s top issues as it adapts to a rapidly changing security environment.

Aerospace Nation: Lt Gen David A. Harris

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy Aerospace Nation with Lt Gen David A. Harris, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures, Headquarters, United States Air Force.

Lt Gen Harris shared his thoughts on developing Air Force strategy and concepts, delivering an integrated force design, conducting strategic assessments of the operating environment through wargames and workshops, and achieving timely and effective operational capabilities required for tomorrow’s Airmen to fight and win.

Bottom line, the Air Force is in the middle of a generational evolution when it comes to developing operational concepts, fielding technologies, and pursuing new levels of force integration. Lt Gen Harris leads the crafting of the future force design that keeps U.S. airpower well ahead of the threat. This is a video you will not want to miss!

Closing Keynote: MG Brian W. Gibson, Director, Strategy, Plans, and Policy U.S. Space Command

The Mitchell Institute hosted its Third Annual Spacepower Security Forum on March 27, 2024—Washington DC’s premiere gathering of spacepower leaders. The insightful discussions shed light on the key trends in national security space and what they portend for the defense community as a whole. The closing keynote speaker was MG Brian W. Gibson, Director, Strategy, Plans, and Policy U.S. Space Command.

Panel 3: Responsible Counterspace Campaigning

The Mitchell Institute hosted its Third Annual Spacepower Security Forum on March 27, 2024—Washington DC’s premiere gathering of spacepower leaders. The insightful discussions shed light on the key trends in national security space and what they portend for the defense community as a whole. The third panel comprised Brig Gen Devin R. Pepper, Deputy Commanding General, Operations, and Vice Commander, Space Operations Command; Dr. Kelly Hammett, Director & PEO, Space Rapid Capabilities Office; Robert “Otis” Winkler, Vice President, Corporate Development and National Security Programs, Kratos Defense; Mike Neylon, Director, Space Protection & Control, Raytheon; and Dr. John “Patsy” Klein, Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research, Inc., Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, and Georgetown University’s Strategic Studies Program. Moderated by Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence.

Panel 2: Avoid Operational Surprise

The Mitchell Institute hosted its Third Annual Spacepower Security Forum on March 27, 2024—Washington DC’s premiere gathering of spacepower leaders. The insightful discussions shed light on the key trends in national security space and what they portend for the defense community as a whole. The second panel comprised Lt Gen Douglas A. Schiess, Commander, U. S. Space Forces-Space and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander; Maj Gen Gregory Gagnon, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, United States Space Force; Brig Gen James Smith, Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear; Scott Forney, President, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems; and Kevin Giammo, Director of Space Surveillance and Environmental Monitoring, Northrop Grumman. Moderated by Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Fireside Chat: Dr. John F. Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy

The Mitchell Institute hosted its Third Annual Spacepower Security Forum on March 27, 2024—Washington DC’s premiere gathering of spacepower leaders. The insightful discussions shed light on the key trends in national security space and what they portend for the defense community as a whole. Fireside chat with Dr. John F. Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy and Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Panel 1: Deny First Mover Advantage

The Mitchell Institute hosted its Third Annual Spacepower Security Forum on March 27, 2024—Washington DC’s premiere gathering of spacepower leaders. The insightful discussions shed light on the key trends in national security space and what they portend for the defense community as a whole. The first panel comprised Dr. Derek Tournear, Director of the Space Development Agency; Col Scott Klempner, Deputy PEO, Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, Space Systems Command; Joe Laurienti, CEO, Ursa Major; and Johnathon Caldwell, Vice President & Deputy General Manager, National Security Space, Lockheed Martin. Moderated by Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.