The Aerospace Advantage

84
Aviation #31

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.

Recent Episodes
  • Episode 232 — Air Combat Survivability Through a POWs Experience
    Apr 19, 2025 – 01:00:34
  • Episode 231 — The Future of Uncrewed Airpower: Pilot Perspective
    Apr 12, 2025 – 46:32
  • Episode 230 — F-47 Insights, Chinese “Dog Fighting in Space,” and DC Defense Developments: The Rendezvous
    Apr 5, 2025 – 01:00:44
  • Episode 229 — From EW to ISR: the 55th Wing
    Mar 29, 2025 – 55:25
  • Episode 228 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Action: Insights from Air Force RPA Commanders
    Mar 22, 2025 – 01:15:36
  • Episode 227 — Modern Combat Power: It Takes a Weather Advantage
    Mar 15, 2025 – 01:00:28
  • Episode 226 — AFA Colorado 2025 Recap: Key Takeaways for Air & Space Power
    Mar 8, 2025 – 49:41
  • Episode 225 — Trump Defense Priorities, Congressional Update, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous
    Mar 1, 2025 – 01:07:25
  • Episode 224 — Want Combat Airpower? Then Fix the Air Force Pilot Crisis
    Feb 22, 2025 – 01:15:30
  • Episode 223 — Will the Chinese Defense Surge Continue? Insights for 2025
    Feb 15, 2025 – 55:35
  • Episode 222 — Countering China and Russia in the High North: The Arctic Challenge
    Feb 8, 2025 – 51:58
  • Episode 221 — Will Congress Boost Air and Space Power in 2025? The Rendezvous
    Feb 1, 2025 – 59:22
  • Episode 220 — Airpower Perspectives | Advice for President Trump’s Defense Team
    Jan 25, 2025 – 01:08:30
  • Episode 219 — Spacepower Perspectives | Advice for President Trump’s Defense Team
    Jan 18, 2025 – 01:01:28
  • Episode 218 - Air Force Readiness Crisis: It’s Time for a Reset
    Jan 11, 2025 – 01:03:41
  • Episode 217 — It’s All About Munitions: New Perspectives
    Jan 4, 2025 – 50:32
  • Episode 216 — “There I was!”: Stories from the Cockpit and Space with the Mitchell Institute
    Dec 28, 2024 – 44:34
  • Episode 215 — Global Spacepower: Allied Perspective
    Dec 21, 2024 – 42:35
  • Episode 214 — Launch: The Fundamental Prerequisite for Space Superiority
    Dec 14, 2024 – 49:22
  • Episode 213 — Trump Defense Plans, DOGE Implications, and Chinese Aerospace Developments: The Rendezvous
    Dec 7, 2024 – 57:39
  • Episode 212 — B-2: Still Got What It Takes
    Nov 30, 2024 – 45:14
  • Episode 211 — Building the Precision Strike Arsenal We Need: The Mass Challenge
    Nov 23, 2024 – 56:44
  • Episode 210 — Compass Call: Understanding the Technical State of the Art
    Nov 16, 2024 – 01:03:31
  • Episode 209 — Election Implications for Defense: The Rendezvous
    Nov 9, 2024 – 01:05:22
  • Episode 208 — Compass Call: Operator Insights
    Nov 2, 2024 – 43:15
  • Episode 207 — Credible Deterrence: It Demands Modern NC3
    Oct 26, 2024 – 42:28
  • Episode 206 — Air Battle Management in an Evolving World: Key Questions
    Oct 19, 2024 – 56:22
  • Episode 205 — China’s Military Buildup: Perception vs Reality
    Oct 12, 2024 – 48:56
  • Episode 204 — NGAD Perspectives, Chinese ICBM Test, and Spacepower Developments: The Rendezvous
    Oct 5, 2024 – 51:43
  • Episode 203 - Expeditionary Airpower: It Takes the 621st Contingency Response Wing
    Sep 28, 2024 – 49:11
  • Episode 202 - Ensuring the Asymmetric Advantage: Jet Propulsion
    Sep 21, 2024 – 01:04:36
  • Episode 201 - Shoot to Kill: The Day America Launched an ASAT
    Sep 14, 2024 – 55:01
  • Episode 200 – Spacepower Roles and Missions Debate, Washington Update, and EA-37B Hits the Ramp: The Rendezvous
    Sep 7, 2024 – 58:32
  • Episode 199 – Winning Tomorrow’s Fight: Airpower Must Maximize Electronic Attack
    Aug 31, 2024 – 01:00:57
  • Episode 198 – Want to Fight and Win? Air and Space Integration is Key
    Aug 24, 2024 – 01:03:56
  • Episode 197 – Mission Command: Leveraging the American Cognitive Advantage
    Aug 17, 2024 – 45:53
  • Episode 196 – What’s Up With NGAD? Understanding The Stakes
    Aug 10, 2024 – 56:18
  • Episode 195 – E-7 on Contract, Space Force Reorg, F-35 Deliveries Resume: The Rendezvous
    Aug 3, 2024 – 58:46
  • Episode 194 – Battlespace Connectivity: Key to 21st Century Warfighting
    Jul 27, 2024 – 53:01
  • Episode 193 – Ready to Fight All Night: High-Tempo Airpower Generation
    Jul 20, 2024 – 51:12
  • Episode 192 – Want to Win? You’ll Need Digital Engineering
    Jul 13, 2024 – 56:15
  • Episode 191 – Chinese Spacepower, NGAD Turbulence, and Congressional Update: The Rendezvous
    Jul 6, 2024 – 57:12
  • Episode 190 – Orbital Warfare: Train Like You Fight
    Jun 29, 2024 – 34:43
  • Episode 189 – Fighting the Air Base: Decisive Combat Sortie Generation Under Fire
    Jun 22, 2024 – 45:30
  • Episode 188 – Front Line Air Mobility Revolution: 317th Airlift Wing Conversation
    Jun 15, 2024 – 57:23
  • Episode 187 – Spectrum Warfare: Freedom to Attack, Maneuver, and Defend
    Jun 8, 2024 – 45:58
  • Episode 186 – Congressional Update, Triad Questioned, Space Guard Debate: The Rendezvous
    Jun 1, 2024 – 59:43
  • Episode 185 – Tomorrow’s F-35: Cooling is Key
    May 25, 2024 – 37:08
  • Episode 184 – New NATO Voices: Conversation with Maj Gen Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force
    May 22, 2024 – 34:26
  • Episode 183 – 89th Airlift Wing: Understanding the Mission of SAMFOX and Beyond
    May 18, 2024 – 35:52
Recent Reviews
  • worlds okayest officer
    Show Request
    Hey team. Love the show. There was an episode a couple months ago regarding base defense. It was great from a strategic denial view. I haven’t seen much scholarship or press devoted to tactical and operational air base defense on the ground. (The USAF Security Forces mission sets). Do we think there’s no threat of small units of PRC or contracted militia origin who could impose casualties and loss on the hypothetically disbursed small bases across the pacific ? Are multi capable airmen ready for a small arms engagement ?
  • Matt Sartty
    Scripted Dialogue
    Dialogue being scripted really takes away from the podcast and makes it seem like there is no real discussion happing. Disappointing because the topics and content is very interesting
  • Kevinneedstheword
    Perfect capture on the spirit of Billy Mitchell
    Thanks for working through this. I’m a retired Cyber warfare officer who has been monitoring the evolution of quantum computing and encryption. Recent developments have raised my concern. I’m glad to see a warfighter’s take on the subject.
  • nerdly12445
    Fantastic info
    Loved the grand overview on all aspects of airpower
  • Starks58
    In depth Air and Space Power discussion
    As a military retiree, I listen to find out how the Air Force is doing. I’ve been particularly interested in the Ukraine war, potential conflict with China, Air Force readiness, and potential game changers.
  • max7374
    Painfully scripted
    Good content for the most part, but the scripted dialogues are pretty painful to listen to
  • Phoebe7891
    Good listen for unfiltered opinions!
    Great podcast for anyone interested in aviation. The moderator asks great questions and the guests clearly know their stuff. It’s nice to hear their unfiltered points of view on aerospace acquisition and strategy. The only feedback I have is that I wish they had more diversity among their guests. There are so many knowledgeable women and POC in aerospace, and it would be nice to hear someone like me on the podcast.
  • Nasrudin84
    Amazing
    I have learned so much thank you for this podcast what a great mission you guys are doing please keep up the good work!
  • John Glen
    Gen Chilton is a brilliant space leader!
    Great discussion on space deterrence and what the US needs to do to deter China and Russia in space. I worked at USSTRATCOM when he was the commander and worked to stand up USCYBERCOM. I used a lot of info / ideas from this episode for my campaign for congress. I hope we see more of Gen Chilton in the future in either a presidential appointment or elected office. He’d be a great SECDEF or Senator.
  • jdhouse4
    Eye-Opening
    This is one of those very few podcasts where you know it could be a lot longer because the guests really know their stuff, like 110%. Also, unlike a lot of podcasts, the host, “Slick”, asks great questions and then, unbelievably, listens to what the guests have to say. Just an awesome podcast. Just be warned that you won’t always walk-away from this podcast as a happy camper with warm and fuzzy feelings. But I guess that’s the thing about the truth. It isn’t always pretty.
  • Georgia Boy US sailorman
    Aerospace Advantage Operation Enduring Freedom
    Tremendous content. Wonderful Guests and Hosts. Imparting knowledge we absolutely need to know.
  • IRST dude
    Always interesting and educational
    Great content and hosts. Thoughtful insights that help inform and educate those of us in and around aerospace and defense
  • K070217
    An Aerospace Podcast for All
    As someone who has never had the privilege of wearing the uniform myself, I downloaded this podcast wondering if I could relate and fully comprehend the content. After listening to the first two episodes, I am hooked. The host does an incredible job of presenting important and intriguing information in a fun, conversational tone. The format of live commentary and interviews combined with historical recordings works perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed listening and learned a lot. I will be recommending this podcast to all my friends ... ranging from those that have served in uniform for decades to those, like me, who yearn to understand our Air and Space Forces better so we can better support them. Thank you.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.