The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

Key Takeaways: - SmallSats will be an essential element to deliver space superiority within the construct of Competitive Endurance - Improvements in space domain awareness and responsible counterspace operations are possible with SmallSats - The low cost, rapid development timelines, and versatility of SmallSats can keep the Space Force ahead of competitors and adversaries - Changes to space acquisition, operations, and sustainment will enable the full adoption of SmallSats into the space architecture ​​​​​

With China engaged in a nuclear break-out, Russia upgrading its nuclear capabilities, plus Iran and North Korea aggressively pursuing their nuclear ambitions—a credible, capable, and safe U.S. nuclear deterrent is more important than ever. The imperatives are clear: to deter adversaries, reassure allies, and provide national leaders with key options whether in peacetime or war. That is why it is so important the U.S. pursue modernization for all three legs of its nuclear triad, including command and control. While present capabilities remain viable, their advanced age and the evolution of the threat environment demand new solutions. This is especially true for the Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missile and bomber legs of the triad. Lt Gen Gebara is a key defense leader in this effort.

Brig Gen Michael Winkler and J. Michael Dahm discuss the importance of protecting air bases from enemy threats in the policy paper 'Fighting the Air Base'. They emphasize the need for cost-effective defense strategies, generating combat sorties under attack, enhancing combat capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, repurposing existing systems for missions, and strategizing defense spending priorities.

Gen Kenneth S. Wilsbach, Commander of Air Combat Command, discusses the importance of ACC missions like air superiority and combat readiness. The podcast highlights modernization efforts, air power enhancements, and the significance of air superiority in warfare. It also explores ACC's role in synchronizing with other commands and addresses topics like surprise inspections and aircraft upgrades.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy our Schriever Spacepower Series with Lt Gen David N. Miller, Jr., Commander, Space Operations Command, United States Space Force. As part of Great Power Competition, the United States today confronts numerous threats to our space capabilities and infrastructure. China has demonstrated the ability to strike ground sites, command and control networks, and satellites in orbit. Ensuring the Space Force is postured for this operational reality is the responsibility of the Space Operations Command (SpOC) under the command of Lt Gen David “Rock” Miller, Jr. Listen to our event audio for an insightful discussion with Lt Gen Miller about SpOC priorities and current efforts to meet and overcome emerging challenges to our space superiority.

Lt Gen David Deptula and Dr. Christopher Bowie discuss a new report on Ukraine's conflict, emphasizing the importance of airpower in gaining an advantage over Russia. Various senior leaders offer perspectives, highlighting the need for alternate courses of action. Topics include strategy, airpower benefits, and the challenges Ukraine faces in acquiring air superiority.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy our Schriever Spacepower Series with Gen Stephen N. Whiting, Commander, United States Space Command, United States Space Force. Space capabilities, services, and effects are now an indispensable part of daily life and foundational to the structure and operation of the U.S. military. United States Space Command is the Combatant Command charged with ensuring that the American people, and American warfighters in particular, never experience a day without space. That responsibility is more important and more challenging than ever. Increasing threats, growing congestion, and expanding opportunities in the domain add complexity and criticality to Space Command's mission. Listen to this in-depth discussion with Gen Whiting to learn more about the mission of the newest Combatant Command, its interactions with the Space Force and other services, and how it is leading the way in space.

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.

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.

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).