Defense & Aerospace Report Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast [Feb 12, 26] Season 4 E5 Buy, Buy Blue Birds
Feb 12, 2026
Andrew Hunter, former Air Force acquisition executive with deep defense procurement experience, shares his take on shifting DoD acquisition practices. He discusses portfolio management moves, impacts of downgrading AFMC leadership, and funding tradeoffs for programs like tankers and strategic airlift. The conversation also covers munitions production, long-range strike concepts, and contractor performance considerations.
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No Unified Airport Counter‑UAS Posture
- There is no national, centralized counter‑UAS program for airports today.
- Vago and JJ note defenses are being solved location-by-location without a government belly button.
OSD Can Tighten Nuclear Program Alignment
- OSD oversight can align requirements and resources across complex nuclear programs.
- Andrew Hunter says this benefits programs like Sentinel where ground infrastructure requirements needed tighter coordination.
Money Is The Real Power Of Portfolios
- Portfolio management lets the Air Force shift funds across related programs to optimize outcomes.
- Hunter highlights funding flexibility as the biggest potential change from the new structure.