On this week’s Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss Israel’s attack on Iran and whether the long-planned strikes will stop Tehran’s drive to acquire nuclear weapons; the trade deal between Washington and Beijing; the budget outlook as lawmakers build a national budget, and what happens if efforts to craft a reconciliation package fail; takeaways from hearings including on the F-35 Lightning II; additional thoughts on Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web attacks on Russia; and a look at the week ahead.

On today’s program, sponsored by Elbit America, Wes Rumbaugh with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss takeaways from the think thank’s recent conference — America’s Golden Dome Explained — on what we know about President Trump’s effort to establish a national air and missile defense system over the United States, how much the network would cost, how effective it would be, the challenges ahead and role of allies in the effort.

On this week’s Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington…

On this week’s Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss the US defense budget outlook that could include a big jump in spending that flattens; the complex dynamics between the administration and Congress; the impact of tariffs and how nations like China will retaliate; takeaways from IISS’ Shanghai-La Dialogue; Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb attack on Russia’s bomber bases; and a look at the week ahead.

On today’s program, sponsored by Elbit America, Dave Mroczka, the president and chief executive of the innovative firm AI Strategy Corporation, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the company’s 9-Hi technology that uses artificial intelligence to help the military services dramatically reduce the time it takes to develop both requirements and make acquisition decisions, accelerating the delivery of capabilities that in turn helps avoid the costs associated and perils of prolonged delays in decision making, especially for companies trying to navigate the “Valley of Death.”

On this week’s Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss the House’s reconciliation package and defense budget outlook, President Trump’s priority Golden Dome system and companies that stand to benefit, takeaways from hearings including the F-47 program and whether the Air Force would benefit from Block 80 F-16s now destined for export, data rights and whether the ability of the military services to repair the equipment they own, Europe’s ability to defend itself without help from the United States, and a look at the week ahead.

On today’s program, sponsored by Elbit America, Dr. Bill Greenwalt, a former Pentagon industrial affairs chief who is now with the American Enterprise Institute and the Silicon Valley Defense Group, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the problems with the US export control system and how the International Traffic in Arms Regulation should be updated; industrial impact if allies and partners shy away from purchasing US products that have long been market-leading thanks to quality, competitive pricing and security guarantees from Washington; the role lawmakers can play in reforming a system that became steadily more risk averse over the decades because of increasingly stringent congressional oversight; the outlook for AUKUS; and the logic of the Commerce Department 232 investigation on the national security implications of commercial aircraft, parts and jet engine sales.

On this week’s Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss Moody’s decision to downgrade US debt as lawmakers work to further cut taxes that could trigger further downgrades; the budget scenarios to watch as some even in the Trump administration talk about budget numbers that are “all over the place;” analysis of the arms deals the president announced during his visit to the Gulf; how America’s approach to arms exports should change; the impact of scaling mass on the US defense industrial base; takeaways from the weekend’s elections in Poland and Romania as well as talks to end the Ukraine war; and a look at the week ahead.

Todd Harrison of the American Enterprise Institute joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the Trump administration’s “skinny budget” request; whether internal cost cutting moves will free enough resources to underwrite major programs; potential risks with the Army’s recent tradeoffs; the legacy of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency; what the Golden Dome air and missile defense system will mean for the Space Force; and impact of general officer cuts.

On today’s program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners and Chris Servello, the co-host of our Cavas Ships podcast joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss when the Trump administration will disclose the details of it’s “skinny budget” request as congressional oversight committees start hearings; whether the so-called Department of Government Efficiency will have have a positive lasting impact in driving necessary and overdue reforms; nuances and takeaways from the latest conflict between India and Pakistan; changes in warfare as reflected at the SOF Week 2025 conference and tradeshow; what the nomination of industry veteran Jeffrey Bornstein as DoD comptroller; Vice President Vance’s different tone at the Washington edition of the Munich Security Conference; and a look at the week ahead.