Defense & Aerospace Report
Defense & Aerospace Report, sponsored by Bell
Welcome to the Defense and Aerospace Report podcast, our weekly podcast on the global defense and aerospace business sponsored by Bell, and hosted by Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Each week, we’ll bring you interviews with industry leaders and the business’ best analysts to put events in context, identify trends and keep an eye on what’s next in a fast-moving world. Defense & Aerospace Report is your global source for national security and aerospace news, thought leadership and analysis, founded and edited by Vago Muradian.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 7, 2026 • 33min
Defense & Aerospace Daily Podcast [Apr 07, 2026] Look Ahead w/ Byron Callan
Byron Callan, founder of Capital Alpha Partners and a Washington defense and aerospace analyst, examines the next phase of the US-Iran conflict and risks from attacks on Iran’s power grid and infrastructure. He covers economic and supply-chain knock-on effects, defense stock movements, the FY27 skinny budget and odd procurement line items, prospects for reconciliation and a possible $240B supplemental, and upcoming Washington events.
Apr 5, 2026 • 59min
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Apr 05, ’26 Business Report]
Richard Aboulafia, aerospace consultant known for market and defense aviation analysis; Sash Tusa, London-based equity analyst specializing in European aerospace and defense; Dr. "Rocket" Ron Epstein, Bank of America senior analyst covering markets and program-level insights. They discuss Iran-related Strait of Hormuz disruptions and market reactions. They cover fuel and aluminum impacts on commercial aviation, defense budget proposals and industrial capacity, plus Artemis II’s boost to aerospace morale.
Apr 3, 2026 • 1h 5min
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Apr 03, ’26 Washington Roundtable]
Jim Townsend, former Pentagon Europe chief focused on NATO and transatlantic ties. Dr. Patrick Cronin, Asia‑Pacific security expert tracking Indo‑Pacific shifts. Michael Herson, defense policy strategist on Congress and budgets. They discuss US policy toward Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, NATO and European reactions, energy and market shocks, Indo‑Pacific alarm and supply‑chain moves, and military leadership and funding fights.
Apr 2, 2026 • 49min
Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast [Apr 02, 26] Season 4 E12: Spicy and Smoky
Doug Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at IISS and airpower analyst, discusses a new report on UAVs. Conversations cover UAV roles and definitions, ISR and mass requirements, lessons for China from recent campaigns, NATO’s reliance on U.S. airpower, and platform-software sovereignty. The chat closes with a lighter note on whiskey picks.
Apr 1, 2026 • 40min
DEFAERO Strategy Series [Apr 201, 26] Bendett and Rumer on Latest Russia-Ukraine Headlines
Dr. Eugene Rumer, a Russia policy expert and former intelligence officer, and Sam Bendett, a researcher on Russian unmanned systems, discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine and shifting battlefield dynamics. They talk about Ukraine’s use of drones and grassroots UAV production. They examine Russia’s energy windfall, Gulf weapons diplomacy, stalled European funding, and the implications for transatlantic security and regional partnerships.
Mar 31, 2026 • 55min
Defense & Aerospace Daily Podcast [Mar 31, 2026] IISS' Ben Barry
Ben Barry, retired British Army brigadier and director of land warfare studies at IISS, discusses land‑power in a potential US‑Israel campaign on Iran. He explores Iranian ground threats, when landings are needed to secure straits, interceptor attrition and mixed counter‑drone approaches. Barry also traces Britain’s post‑Cold War army decline, readiness erosion, funding gaps and procurement lessons.
Mar 30, 2026 • 38min
Defense & Aerospace Daily Podcast [Mar 30, 2026] Look Ahead w/ Byron Callan
Brent Sadler, Heritage researcher on naval strategy and acquisition critiques Navy programs. Brian Clark, Hudson Institute maritime analyst specializing in unmanned systems and wargaming. They discuss Iran-related maritime risks and mine-clearance needs. They examine munitions shortages and industrial bottlenecks. They debate frigate and surface combatant risks plus uses for unmanned surface vessels.
Mar 29, 2026 • 1h 1min
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Mar 29 ’26 Business Report]
Richard Aboulafia, aerospace strategist; Sash Tusa, European defense analyst; Dr. "Rocket" Ron Epstein, Bank of America equities analyst. They discuss soaring munitions burn rates and missile stock replenishment. They cover jet fuel spikes and impacts on commercial aviation. They debate production bottlenecks, solid rocket motor constraints, and new entrants’ promises. They examine regional air-defense deals and emerging platforms like the KF-21 and Ghost Bat.
Mar 27, 2026 • 1h 7min
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Mar 27, ’26 Washington Roundtable]
Dr. Patrick Cronin, Indo‑Pacific strategy expert at the Hudson Institute. Dr. Dov Zakheim, former Pentagon comptroller and security analyst. Michael Herson, Washington defense policy and budgeting adviser. They discuss the US‑Israel war on Iran and global economic shocks. They debate congressional war powers, wartime supplemental and budget politics. They examine Europe and Asia scrambling over energy, Ukraine’s munitions strain, and regional deterrence risks.
Mar 26, 2026 • 53min
Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast [Mar 26, 26] Season 4 E11: Building Storm
Mike "JDAM" Dahm, retired U.S. Navy intel officer and Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, explains China’s rapid air force buildup and visible industrial expansion. He discusses public signaling through selective reveals, new bases and runways, and how lessons from Iran and Ukraine shape PLA training. The conversation covers factory scale-up, island reclamation, and whether current U.S. programs match China’s pace.
