On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored in part by Hanwha Defense USA, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s torpedoing of a bipartisan spending measure of keep government open through March, prospects of a government shutdown through the holidays — potentially spanning through the inauguration — analysis of the key events of 2024 that will shape the coming year the coming year, and predictions for the United States, China, the Ukraine war, Syria and the broader Middle East.
We review 2024’s big airpower stories from the US and around the world with Dr. Brendan Mulvaney, Director of the China Aerospace Studies Institute at National Defense University, and Aviation Week defense editor Steve Trimble. Plus the week’s top airpower headlines. All powered by GE!
On today’s Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses and Dr. Eugene Rumer, the director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss key moments in Russia’s war on Ukraine during 2024; whether the end of the war in the coming months will come as a reprieve just as Moscow is feeling economic pressure and growing casualties, allowing it to recharge for its next confrontation with NATO; how the outgoing and incoming administrations are playing the roles of good cop-bad cop to end the war; implications of the ouster of Bashar al-Assad on Russia; the assassination of Russia’s nuclear and chemical forces chief Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov by Ukraine’s secret service; and what to expect from Moscow over the coming weeks as the prospect of the war’s end approaches.
On this innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference next April in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer and principle author of the 18 Theses — also known as The Defense Reformation — joined Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discusses his blueprint to revamp the US industrial base to boost innovation, agility and output at to help America better deter adversaries while it also better prepares for possible conflict, the core elements of necessary change, the biggest sins of the current system, enticing commercial firms to return to the defense market, leveling the playing field, importance of empowered individuals to drive change, getting Congress to embrace change including higher tolerance for risk, balancing roles for new and heritage companies whether in software or hardware, when a company is truly commercial and when not when doing business with the Pentagon and more. Our monthly technology coverage is brought to you by Clarion Defence and their Apex Conference. We are pleased to be partnered with Clarion to highlight Apex and bring you the types of conversations and issue coverage you can expect at the two-day event next April in Washington.
On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss political, market and international surprises in 2024 that will be consequential in the coming year; a look at the National Defense Authorization Act and appropriations expectations; the IISS’ global outlook; the Washington International Trade Association’s take on Trump and tariffs; the Defense Innovation Unit and the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft; HII’s shipyard acquisition; and a look at the week ahead.
Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This is the first of three special editions of the CavasShips Podcast, where we look back at 2024 and ahead at 2025, and attempt to divine what’s still to come. In this edition we’ll discuss US Navy policies and programs with three leading commentators and analysts – Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute; Bryan McGrath of the Ferrybridge Group, and Steve Wills, a PhD in Cold War naval history and navalist at the US Navy League’s Center for Maritime Strategy. In the next two podcasts we’ll review worldwide maritime and shipping affairs with Sal Mercogliano and John Konrad, and then significant news events and trends with the USNI News editorial staff.
Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email chriscavas@gmail.com or cservello@defaeroreport.com.
To navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the incoming Congress must urgently focus on the integration of commercial earth observation technologies toequip our warfighters for the challenges ahead.
Driving Down the Cost of Military Applications of Hypersonic Technology By Kevin W. Billings OBE Hypersonic technology, defined as speeds exceeding Mach 5 (approx. 3,800 mph), has captured significant attention across the world due to its immense potential in revolutionizing air travel. Moreover, with the promise of faster, more efficient, and highly maneuverable platforms, hypersonics