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The Aerospace Advantage

The Aerospace Advantage

Written by: The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
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About this listen

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is proud to present The Aerospace Advantage, with Heather ”Lucky” Penney as the host. Every week, Lucky takes listeners into the world of aerospace power and help the audience understand what it takes to fly and fight in the sky, while also protecting America’s interests in space. Whether talking to top generals, standing on a flight line full of combat aircraft, looking at a rocket being prepared for launch, or hearing from those who have laid it all on the line in defense of the nation—this podcast will afford unprecedented access and insight into where the combat aerospace community is going and why.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Want Effective AI? It'll Take Contextualized Mission Data — Ep. 278
    Feb 21 2026

    Episode Summary:

    Autonomy and artificial intelligence are going to have a massive impact upon aircraft, mission systems, weapons, battle management, and other command and control functions. But it isn’t enough to just write the algorithms for the autonomy and AI—we’ll need to train them to effectively coordinate with human teammates, rapidly adjust to a dynamic threat environment, adhere to commander’s intent, and afford sufficient insight for legal and reliability analysis. All of that involves capturing and curating data to promote warfighter context and relevant mission data. Lean more about this as Heather Penney chats with a team of AI experts and former warfighters, including Robert “Bobaloo” Rickard and Mark “Drifter” Valentine.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Robert “Bobaloo” Rickard, Founder & CEO, RCG, Inc.

    Guest: Mark “Drifter” Valentine, Global Head of National Security Strategy, Skydio

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AI #Data #MilitaryTechnology

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    55 mins
  • Air Superiority: It Takes More Fighters — Ep. 277
    Feb 14 2026

    Episode Summary:

    Since the end of the Cold War, Air Force resource shortfalls have hit the fighter inventory hard. Want proof? The Air Force was supposed to procure 750 F-22s, but only got 187. The F-35 inventory was supposed to be double what we currently field on flightlines. Added to that, the service continually cut the legacy inventory of F-15s, F-16s, and A-10s …but COCOM demand never slowed down. Fewer tails carry more sortie demand, which is a recipe for burnout. It’s time for a course correction. Many voices who have helped carry this message, but few are as important as the Air National Guard. We explore this crucial topic with Brig. Gen. Shannon “Sinjin” Smith, Commander of the Idaho Air National Guard.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Brig. Gen. Shannon "Sinjin" Smith, Commander, Idaho Air National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho

    Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #government #capitolhill

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    57 mins
  • National Defense Strategy, Budget News, and Spacepower Update: The Rendezvous — Ep. 276
    Feb 7 2026

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, our team explores the top defense issues in Washington, D.C. and beyond. What are the key details in the defense appropriations legislation that was just signed into law, and what are the important considerations when it comes to the new National Defense Strategy? We also explore the push for acquisition reform in the Department of the Air Force, plus Secretary Hegseth’s focus on the industrial base. The team also covers the latest in spacepower—everything from the SDA tracking layer to congestion with launch.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Todd "Sledge" Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International

    Guest: Jeff Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International

    Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #government #capitolhill

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    1 hr and 7 mins
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