Craig McVay, the senior vice president for military strategic systems at Rolls-Royce North America, discusses the company's proposal to re-engine the US Air Force's fleet of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. Our coverage was sponsored by Leonardo DRS and L3 Technologies.

Lt. Col. Dave Harden, USAF, the chief operating officer of AFWERX, the US Air Force's innovation cell and Spark Tank co-founder; Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's director of cyberspace innovation and Spark Tank director and co-founder; and 2019 Spark Tank winner Master Sgt. Jonathan Maas of the 52nd Civil Engineering Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, discuss the competition, the winning proposal to save time and money, driving innovation and an AFWERX update with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando where our coverage was sponsored by Leonardo DRS and L3 Technologies.

Air Force Magazine Senior Editor Rachel Cohen and Editorial Director John Tirpak discuss the March 8, 2019, resignation of Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, PhD, who will step down from office in May to become the new president of the University of Texas at El Paso and the revelation by Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., that she was raped when she served on active duty in the Air Force with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Air Force Association’s headquarters in Northern Virginia.

Gen. Mark Welsh, USAF Ret., the US Air Force's 20th chief of staff who is now the dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, discusses harnessing disruption, leading innovation and the legacy of the school's namesake, President George H.W. Bush, with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando where our coverage was sponsored by Leonardo DRS and L3 Technologies.

Brig. Gen. Michael Schmidt, USAF, the service's program executive officer for command, control, communications, intelligence and networks, discusses cyber threats and defenses during an era of great power competition, better cyber hygiene and improving IT networks with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. Our coverage was sponsored by Leonardo DRS and L3 Technologies.

Shawn Warren, the vice president and general manager for large military engines at GE Aviation, discusses the company's proposals in the US Air Force competition to replace the Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines on the service's Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers with newer, more fuel efficient powerplants with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando where our coverage was sponsored by Leonardo DRS and L3 Technologies.

Gen. Stephen "Seve" Wilson, USAF, the US Air Force vice chief of staff, discusses lessons from entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban, learning from failure, harvesting good ideas and the Pitch Day in New York City on March 6, 2019, with Air Force Acquisition Chief Will Roper, PhD, with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Air Force Association’s 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Gen. Mike “Mobile” Holmes, USAF, the commander of the US Air Force’s Air Combat Command, discusses roles for new F-15X Eagle fighters the service is considering acquiring from Boeing to replace aging F-15C jets, surge exercises to Europe and elsewhere to add unpredictability to US operations and improving readiness with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Air Force Association’s 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Will Roper, PhD, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, logistics and technology, discusses the first ever Pitch Day in New York City on March 6, 2019, during which he and Gen. Stephen "Seve" Wilson, USAF, the Air Force vice chief, will assess some 300 innovative proposals as well as an update on efforts to slash 100 years off acquisition programs with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando where our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Will Roper, PhD, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, logistics and technology, discusses his decision to halt deliveries of Boeing's KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft after an tools and manufacturing debris was found on aircraft already delivered to the service and the rationale for potentially acquiring new Boeing F-15X fighters to replace aging F-15C jets with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted at the Air Force Association's 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando where our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Dave Tweedie, the vice president for advanced combat engine programs at GE Aviation, discusses the company’s new generation jet engines that promised more power and efficiency for future combat aircraft with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the Air Force Association’s 2019 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Danny Sebright, the president of the US-UAE Business Council, discusses the key takeaways from the recent International Defense Exhibition -- known as IDEX -- in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's new offset policy and the US-UAE alliance with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Gen. Larry Spencer, USAF Ret., the former US Air Force vice chief who is now the president of the Air Force Association, discusses what to expect at the assocation’s Air Warfare Symposium next week in Orlando, the importance of engaging with innovative entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos and Mark Cuban, accomplishments during his tenure and what's next, being an Airman for Life, and the late Lt. Gen. George Muellner’s legacy with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Spencer enlisted in the Air Force in 1971 at the age of 18 rose through the noncommissioned ranks for nine years before becoming an office in 1980 to become vice chief. Spencer, who became AFA president in 2015 immediately after retiring, will step down March 1, 2019, and be replaced by Lt. Gen. Bruce “Orville” Wright, USAF Ret.

Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF Ret., dean of Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies discusses the legacy of Lt. Gen. George Muellner, USAF Ret., the Institute's recent report on nuclear command and control and the Air Force's plan to acquire new F-15 fighters with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Chris Dougherty, one of the authors of the Pentagon's National Defense Strategy who is now a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, discusses the think tank's New American Way of War project with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Laurent Maury, vice president of Thales’ new critical information systems and cybersecurity business,discusses the role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, cyber threats and defenses with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Thales sponsored reporters’ travel to Montreal to visit cortAIx AI research and development facility and launch of an AI partnership the company and Centech, Québec’s largest start-up incubator.

Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses, discusses the latest on Russian unmanned ground and air systems like Uran, Okhotnik and Carnivora with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Karl Schmidt, a retired US Army lieutenant colonel who is co-head of the aerospace and defense practice at the KippsDeSanto investment bank, discusses the firm's second annual survey of aerospace, defense and government services merger and acquisition trends with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian.

Siegfried Usal, Thales' vice president for research and technology strategy and managing director of cortAIx -- the company's Center of Research and Technology for Artificial Intelligence Expertise in Montreal -- discusses the role of the center and AI investment with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Thales sponsored reporters’ travel to Montreal to visit cortAIx AI research and development facility and launch of an AI partnership the company and  Centech, Québec’s largest start-up incubator.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, PhD, R-Wisc., a member of the House Armed Services' Seapower and Expeditionary Warfare subcommittee, discusses the need for new US amphibious warfare concepts and more with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Gallagher is a former Marine how represents a district that is home to Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which builds the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship and is one of the competitors in the US Navy's competition for a new frigate. We spoke on the sidelines of the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition breakfast in Capitol Hill.

Tony Castilleja, systems engineer, and Josh Barrett, communications specialist, both with Boeing Space & Missile Systems, discuss the company’s new Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, CST-100 Starliner spacecraft and new spacesuit with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. The interview was conducted in Washington, DC, at “To the Future” space experience by Boeing and Axios that will run through the mid-February.

Dixon Osburn, the executive director of the Center for Justice and Accountability, discusses holding war criminals to account for their actions with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the 2018 Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Pete Bunce, the president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and John Cudahy, the president of the International Council of Air Shows, discuss plans to stage a massive "2020 Arsenal of Democracy Fly-Over" Washington, DC, on May 7-8, 2020, with vintage US, Canadian and British warplanes to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. To organize and execute a fly over involving more than 100 World War II-era aircraft, GAMA and ICAS have partnered with a number of organizations, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Commemorative Air Force, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the National Defense Industrial Association.

Vice Adm. Paul Bennett, Royal Navy, NATO Allied Command Transformation's chief of staff, discusses driving innovation, the command's 13th annual Chiefs of Transformation Conference, capability development and more with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Our coverage of the conference was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Camille Grand, NATO assistant secretary general for defense investment, discusses accelerating alliance acquisition programs and more with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at NATO Allied Command Transformation's 13th annual Chiefs of Transformation Conference in Norfolk, Va. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Mauricio Meschoulam, PhD, professor at Universidad Iberoamericana Mexico and founder of the Mexico Research Center for Peace, discusses how to tackle Latin America's security challenges that are driving migration caravans to the United States with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Gen. Jonathan “Jon” Vance, Canadian Army, the chief of defense staff for Canada’s Armed Forces, discusses future capabilities, and modernization with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian on the sidelines of the 10th annual Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada. Our coverage was sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., discusses the importance of the Halifax International Security Forum, Sen. John McCain’s legacy, NATO, President Trump’s rhetoric and policies, and much more at the 10th annual Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada. Our coverage at this 10th annual forum is sponsored by L3 Technologies and Leonardo DRS.

The Trump Administration's 2020 Budget Request Could Be, But OCO, F-15X, Carrier, Amphib, Space Force Raise Doubts

Now that President Trump has declared a national emergency to build his border wall, all eyes are on what will be cut to free the additional $7.5 billion he wants as a down payment for the project. Rather than the wall, that money would be better spend on buying new systems and capabilities the United States desperately needs as it faces rising global powers.

You can’t be a real airplane lover and take satisfaction in seeing the end of a flagship aviation program. That said, Airbus’ decision last week to halt production of the A380 by 2021 will bring an end to a polarizing program. It was neither sleek nor particularly attractive, but it was an astonishing aeronautical achievement that was ultimately too big to succeed.

Qualifications, however, will be secondary to personal loyalty when Trump makes a choice that will have major implications for national and international security for many years to come.

In its recent report, "Artificial Intelligence and National Security: The Importance of the AI Ecosystem," the Center for Strategic and International Studies writes that "AI has profound potential to affect the balance of power in both the global economy and in military competition. While AI has a long history, AI has begun to deliver results within the last decade, particularly with the recent rapid progress in machine learning and the increased availability of data and computing power. As impactful as the recent progress has been, AI remains highly problem-specific and context-dependent. It has proven extremely challenging to translate the progress in some fields to others, even those that are closely related. Enthusiasm in both the public and private sectors has obscured the importance of building the robust supporting capabilities for AI—an AI ecosystem—that are crucial to successful AI adoption." The report was sponsored in part by Thales USA.

In "Trump's 2019 Missile Defense Budget: Choosing Capacity over Capability," a February 28, 2018, installment of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' CSIS Briefs series, Tom Karako, PhD, director of CSIS' Missile Defense Project and a senior fellow in its International Security Program, and Wes Rumbaugh, an research assistant with the ISP, analyze the missile-defense side of the Trump administration's FY19 budget request, identify its priorities and shortfalls, lend historical context and deem the proposed budget "inadequate" to combat "the threat for both ballistic and nonballistic missile attack."

"The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence: Forecasting, Prevention, and Mitigation," a February 2018 joint report from the Center for a New American Security, the Future of Humanity Institute, the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, the University of Cambridge, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and OpenAI, looks at the potential for artificial intelligence to be weaponized in the digital, physical and political security domains, predicts the future AI threat landscape and offers preventative recommendations for policymakers to combat the risk of misused AI. "This report surveys the landscape of potential security threats from malicious uses of artificial intelligence technologies, and proposes ways to better forecast, prevent, and mitigate these threats," the report reads. "We analyze, but do not conclusively resolve, the question of what the long-term equilibrium between attackers and defenders will be. We focus instead on what sorts of attacks we are likely to see soon if adequate defenses are not developed.

In "Overview of the 2019 President's Budget Request for Defense," a Feb. 15, 2018, report from the Center for a New American Security, authors Susanna Blume, a CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessment Program fellow, and Lauren Fish, a research associate with the program, provide a bird's-eye look at what the White House's FY19 defense-budget request means for readiness, procurement, research, development, test and evaluation, the Missile Defense Agency, US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Air Force, and the US Defense Department, as a whole. "Even in these times of increasing budgets, DoD must still make tough decisions about what to prioritize and where to accept risk," they write.